Spirit Airlines Shuts Down After Rescue Efforts Fall Short

A Spirit airplane at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., on Sept. 11, 2025. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch TimesBudget carrier Spirit Airlines said Saturday it will halt all operations immediately, canceling all flights and beginning an orderly wind-down after a last-minute rescue plan failed to get traction.“It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of our operations,” the company said in an announcement, adding that all flights are canceled and customer service is being discontinued. The Florida-based airline said passengers should not go to the airport and that refunds will be issued automatically for tickets purchased by card.