FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A possible shutdown of Dania Beach-based Spirit Airlines could leave flyers stranded and thousands of workers out of a job.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the discount carrier is preparing to cease operations after failing to secure agreement from key bondholders and the U.S. government on a proposed bailout plan.
The airline has its fair share of loyal customers. Local 10 News caught up with Spirit flyers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, one of the airline’s key operating bases.
“We’ve flown Spirit off-and-on for a long time,” flyer Sarah Burgett said. “I’ve never had a problem with Spirit.”
Flyers now say they fear higher fares.
“It’s gonna affect the economy itself and the people too, I don’t really know,” flyer Sunjoha Nyase said. “I wish there was a way out.”
Travel editor Peter Greenberg said if Spirit does pull the plug, passengers are protected.
“If you’re holding a Spirit ticket, chances are you paid for it with a credit card, you’re protected under federal credit law so that if Spirit doesn’t deliver the service, you get a refund or a credit on your statement,” Greenberg said. “You’re gonna be forced to pay a much higher fare on a competing carrier.”
At the Dania Beach headquarters, Spirit employees were hesitant to speak about the looming shutdown.
A Local 10 News crew saw people walking out Friday with computer monitors and boxes.
A pilot said he’s not sure what’s happening.
Another Spirit employee said a major fear is not knowing whether the airline’s employees will have a job in the coming weekend.
In a message on social media platform X, Association of Flight Attendants President Sara Nelson, whose union represents Spirit flight attendants, urged President Donald Trump to save the airline.
She said “(e)veryday Americans will hurt” with $1 billion annually from more expensive fares across the industry stemming from less competition.
A Business Insider analysis found “that airfares rose an average of about $19, or 14%, across the roughly 90 routes Spirit exited between 2024 and 2025, as consumers faced fewer options.”
Nelson said nearly 20,000 employees will lose their livelihoods if Trump doesn’t act.
“If you’re in charge @POTUS then make it happen now," she posted.
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