Global Significance

A4A Statement on Spirit Airlines Ceasing Operations

May 02, 2026

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2026 – The following statement is attributable to Airlines for America (A4A):  

As Spirit Airlines has notified the DOT, FAA and customers that the company is ceasing commercial operations, A4A passenger airlines are stepping up to aid thousands of impacted travelers and employees. Our member airlines are currently identifying ways to help that work with their existing operations and schedules and help achieve our collective goal of supporting Spirit’s customers.  

As the price of jet fuel continues to soar, A4A member carriers are individually taking proactive, voluntary steps to mitigate the impact including:

• Reducing flight frequencies on some routes
• Retiring older and less fuel-efficient aircraft
• Grounding certain aircraft
• Cutting less profitable routes
• Increasing fees for checked bags
• Raising fares when necessary

We are aware that ultra low-cost carriers (ULCCs) have asked for billions in taxpayer resources to address their inability to deal with high fuel prices. Government intervention on behalf of those airlines would punish other airlines that have engaged in self-help in order to deal with increased costs and reward airlines who haven’t made those tough decisions. That’s not a level playing field. And, in the long-term, sustaining businesses that cannot earn their cost of capital harms competition and consumers by making it more difficult for other airlines to compete and attract private sector capital.