economy
May 3, 2026
This Was Spirit Airlines' Route to Bankruptcy: Nearly 60,000 Passengers Daily Affected
The last Spirit Airlines flight took off on May 1 from Detroit, United States, and landed in Dallas at 1:08 a.m. yesterday. That journey symbolized the definitive closure of the airline, which operated for 34 years in the global market and now joins the list of ultra-low-cost companies that have financially collapsed in the commercial airline universe.
TL;DR
- Spirit Airlines ceased operations after 34 years, with its last flight on May 1.
- The airline had not reported profits since 2019 and faced financial difficulties.
- Rising jet fuel prices and failed government rescue negotiations contributed to the collapse.
- Approximately 60,000 passengers daily were potentially affected globally.
- In Colombia, about 10,000 passengers were impacted, with Avianca and Latam Airlines offering protection plans.
- The closure will result in the loss of approximately 15,000 jobs.
- Spirit Airlines had filed for bankruptcy twice before, in November 2024 and August 2025.
- The ultra-low-cost airline sector has seen several other collapses globally, including Viva Air, Ultra Air, Lynx Air, Bonza, Air Belgium, and Play Airlines.