Shares of Spirit Airlines collapsed Friday after reports suggested the struggling carrier could be preparing to cease operations following stalled bailout negotiations with the US government. The airline’s stock plunged as much as 74% after the Wall Street Journal reported that Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. was moving toward a potential shutdown scenario after rescue discussions failed.
At the same time, rival airline stocks rallied sharply, with JetBlue Airways and Frontier Airlines both climbing as investors reacted.
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Why Spirit Airlines stock is crashing
The latest sell-off followed reports that Spirit had run out of cash and was struggling to secure financing needed to continue operations. According to the Wall Street Journal, the airline faced mounting difficulties negotiating with creditors while also attempting to finalize a government-backed rescue package.
Bloomberg previously reported that talks involving a possible $500 million federal bailout had stalled, with lenders, including Citadel, resisting terms that could heavily impact their recoveries and claims.
The uncertainty surrounding the negotiations triggered panic among investors, sending Spirit shares sharply lower.
Trump administration discussed bailout possibilities
The report comes after President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged Spirit’s financial troubles last week.
“We’re thinking about doing it, helping them out, meaning bailing them out, or buying it,” Trump said, adding that the government could “sell it for a profit” when oil prices come down.
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Earlier statements from the White House also blamed previous regulatory decisions for worsening the company’s financial position.
The administration argued Spirit “would ‘be on a much firmer financial footing had the Biden administration not recklessly blocked the airline’s merger with JetBlue’.”
What happened to the JetBlue merger?
Spirit’s financial struggles intensified after a federal judge blocked its proposed $3.8 billion merger with JetBlue in 2024 on antitrust grounds. The court ruled the deal could reduce airline competition and potentially hurt consumers through higher fares.
Rising oil prices and increased jet fuel costs have further strained the carrier’s finances.
Is Spirit Airlines shutting down immediately?
Despite the reports, Spirit has not officially confirmed plans to stop operations. A company spokesperson declined to comment on ongoing negotiations but emphasized that normal operations continue for now.
“Spirit is operating as usual,” they told Bloomberg.