A major airline has closed down and cancelled all flights from today (Saturday, May 2) after plunging into financial difficulty.
Spirit Airlines announced the move on Saturday.
Spirit emerged from a trucking company founded in the 1960s, with air operations commencing after it was founded as an airline in 1983.
The company moved its base to Florida in 1999, where it has stayed since. The company employs about 17,000 people.
Spirit opened as many as 29 new routes during its peak in the mid-2010s. The company was once valued at $6billion at one stage.
Announcing an “orderly wind-down” of operations, the airline added: “To our Guests: all flights have been cancelled, and customer service is no longer available.
“We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry over the last 34 years and had hoped to serve our Guests for many years to come.”
Spirit has struggled financially since the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving the company to grapple with its second bankruptcy in a year.
The airline asked the US government for financial support. US President Donald Trump had hinted he would be open to this, but talks appeared to collapse.
Spirit has told passengers to not go to the airport, directing them to a refund page.
The airline gained popularity thanks to its policy where everything from drinks to overhead carry-on bags cost extra, while base airfare was kept to a minimum.
