Spirit Airlines appears closer to shutdown as time dwindles for government bailout

Cash-strapped Spirit Airlines appeared closer to a shutdown after Friday (May 1, 2026) came and went without a needed government bailout.

President Donald Trump said on Friday (May 1, 2026) that his administration had given the budget carrier a “final proposal” for a taxpayer-funded takeover to keep it from going under, but the absence of a deal put the airline’s future in doubt.