The Administration of US President Donald Trump took a step this May 2, 2026 by announcing aid for Spirit passengers and employees, after the airline announced the cessation of operations after failing to reach an agreement for a government bailout that would inject the money it needed to continue flying.
Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, reported in a statement that after conversations with American Airlines, United, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Allegiant, Frontier, Avelo and Breeze, it was agreed to provide support in various ways to passengers of Spirita low-cost airline.
According to Duffy’s communication, United, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest are offering special prices for Spirit customers who need to reschedule their canceled flights, for which they must provide, at a minimum, the flight confirmation number and proof of payment.
Each line offered a limited time for that action.
Duffy also noted that for customers concerned about rising ticket prices, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are offering reduced fares on Spirit’s most in-demand routes.
Allegiant also committed to freezing prices on routes that match those flown by Spirit while Frontier is offering them up to 50% off their entire network through May 10.
Avianca, for its part, announced in its X account the option of return without charging airfare for Spirit passengers who have to return to their origin.
The Department of Transportation’s agreement for employees with most airlines is to fly them home, as well as preferential job interviews.
Spirit surprised on April 30, 2026 by announcing that it will cease operations after a $500 million government bailout deal fell through.
Duffy blamed this May 2, 2026, in the statement, the last Administration of Democrat Joe Biden (2021-2025) for “blocking the merger of JetBlue and Spirit in 2024″.
“They turned their backs on the consumer and our valuable aviation workforce,” he said.
In January 2024, a federal judge rejected the $3.8 billion bid, ruling that the merger would reduce competition and raise rates.
The Florida-based airline, which continued to operate under bankruptcy law, traveled from the US to the Caribbean and a large number of destinations in Latin America, including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Peru, Mexico, Colombia and Costa Rica.
The airline announced in August 2025 that it filed for the second time in a year under the country’s bankruptcy law after a failed reorganization attempt. His first bankruptcy filing was in November 2024.
Its president and CEO, Dave Davis, said the closure was due to the “sudden and sustained increase in fuel prices in recent weeks,” which left the company “no alternative but to proceed with an orderly liquidation of the company,” The Hill newspaper reports.
