Story perspectives

U.S. Mulls $500M Spirit Bailout, Faces Congressional Pushback

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. is weighing a $500 million loan or purchase of Spirit Airlines, employing 14,000 workers.
Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2024 and August 2025 after a blocked $3.8 billion JetBlue merger, faces $360 million in fuel costs $4.60 per gallon.
Senator Ted Cruz, investor Kevin O’Leary, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy opposed the bailout, calling it a terrible idea.
Frontier, Avelo and budget carriers have requested $2.5 billion in federal aid for fuel spikes.

1 of 1

Story summary

U.S. is weighing a $500 million loan or purchase of Spirit Airlines, employing 14,000 workers.
Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2024 and August 2025 after a blocked $3.8 billion JetBlue merger, faces $360 million in fuel costs $4.60 per gallon.
Senator Ted Cruz, investor Kevin O’Leary, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy opposed the bailout, calling it a terrible idea.
Frontier, Avelo and budget carriers have requested $2.5 billion in federal aid for fuel spikes.