Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday after a federal judge blocked the budget airline’s proposed merger with JetBlue.
The Florida-based company published an open letter Monday to those who have booked tickets for future flights. Flights, ticket sales and other operations will continue as normal, the airline said.
“The most important thing to know is that you can continue to book and fly now and in the future,” the letter said.
The airline filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, and said in an accompanying press release that it was seeking to restructure and reduce debt.
JetBlue and Spirit he proposed A merger, inking a deal in July 2022, a deal the discount airlines said would improve their ability to win customers away from larger competitors.
But they jointly announced in March 2024 that they would end the deal, saying they were unlikely to get legal and regulatory approval before the July 2024 merger deadline. Department of Justice he sued to block fusion.
A majority of the company’s bonds voted in favor of the filing, CEO and President Ted Christie said in a statement.
He positioned the restructuring as a “vote of confidence” in Spirit and its long-term planning.
“This set of operations will position our balance sheet and Spirit for the future as we continue to execute on our strategic initiatives to transform our Guest experience by providing new, enhanced travel options, greater value and greater flexibility,” he said.
Spirit said it expects to complete the restructuring process in the first quarter of 2025.
