Spirit Airlines planes are parked at Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 23, 2026.
Marco Bello | Reuters
Spirit Airlines announced Saturday morning that it has begun an orderly cessation of its operations effective immediately.
“To our guests: All flights have been canceled and customer service is no longer available,” Spirit said on its website, which replaced its reservation function with announcement and advice to customers and suppliers.
“We are proud of the impact our ultra-low-cost model has had on the industry over the past 34 years and look forward to serving our guests for many years to come,” the airline said.
Earlier, people familiar with the matter said the iconic budget airline was preparing to close its doors after failing to reach a deal for a lifeline. The people requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the discussions.
The airline cited rising energy prices as one of the main reasons for the closure.
“Unfortunately, despite the Company’s efforts, the recent significant increase in oil prices and other business pressures have had a significant impact on Spirit’s financial outlook,” the airline said in a separate statement.
“With no additional financing available to the company, Spirit had no choice but to begin this liquidation.”
The airline said passengers should not go to airports for their flights, but instead referred them to an FAQ for more information and next steps on how to get a refund and recover lost baggage.
Spirit also said it hopes to work with its sellers for the long term.
“We are committed to working with our suppliers throughout the liquidation process and will contact you in the coming days to discuss next steps. Any outstanding claims will need to be addressed through the bankruptcy process,” Spirit said. He added that sellers will receive direct communication from the courts.
“A difficult affair”The Trump administration last month proposed a $500 million loan that could have given the government up to 90% stake in the Florida-based airline. But negotiations with bondholders for a government bailout this week failed to produce a deal.
President Donald Trump said earlier Friday that his administration had extended a “final” rescue proposal.
“I would say we’re making a tough deal, but it’s one of those things we’ll do it, or we won’t,” Trump told reporters Friday. “It looks like the other lenders are blocking it. They think they will be relegated to priority.”
“We are first,” Trump said.
The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Spirit was preparing to close its doors.
Other airlines said Friday they plan to help Spirit customers and crews if Spirit stops operating.
Spirit, a pioneer of the low-cost airline model with low fares and fees for everything else in the United States, had been profitable but had been struggling in recent years. It has faced rising labor and other costs, a shift in consumer tastes toward more upscale travel and an engine recall. A proposed acquisition of Spirit by JetBlue was successfully challenged by the Biden administration two years ago.
The airline expected to emerge from bankruptcy mid-year, before fuel prices rose.
Spirit carried approximately 1.7 million U.S. domestic passengers, with a 3.9% share of the U.S. market, in February, according to aviation data firm Cirium. That’s down from last year’s market share of 5.1% as the airline cut flights to cut costs.
As of 6:25 p.m. Friday, Spirit had 44 flights in operation, according to Flightradar24.
Learn more about Spirit Airlines’ recent challengesThe White House, Department of Transportation and Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The airline’s lawyer, Marshall Huebner, said in a New York bankruptcy court on April 23, that Spirit’s money “won’t last very long.”
As of 5:30 p.m. ET, Spirit was still selling tickets on its website.
The carrier is experiencing its second bankruptcy in less than a year and now faces the added challenge of soaring jet fuel prices amid the conflict in the Middle East.
United Airlines said in a statement Friday that the carrier “is preparing to support Spirit customers and employees” if Spirit shuts down and strands crews and passengers, a spokeswoman told CNBC.
American airlines said it “immediately implemented fare caps on Main Cabin tickets for Spirit routes where we also offer non-stop service and will continue to support as many customers as possible.”
JetBlue Airways And Border Airlines also said they would offer passengers and crew affected by a possible Spirit shutdown flight options.
