KANSAS CITY, MO — Spirit Airlines said early Saturday that it was ceasing operations, forcing Kansas City International Airport travelers to scramble for new plans after the carrier announced the shutdown online.
Passengers arriving at Spirit’s area at KCI found empty customer service desks, screens saying all flights were canceled and customer service was no longer available, and a QR code prompt for help.
Travelers at KCI react to the sudden shutdown
Some passengers said they learned about the closure only after arriving at the airport, while others said they were surprised but not entirely shocked.
Ray said he was trying to compare fares for a trip in a few weeks when he learned the airline was done. Danielle said the announcement caught her off guard.
Spirit points to higher costs after the pandemic
The airline had already been struggling to stay profitable since the pandemic. The report said rising jet fuel costs tied to the war in Iran added about $15 million a week to Spirit’s expenses.
The shutdown comes after a difficult stretch for the carrier, which had relied on a low-fare model but faced continuing financial pressure.
Other airlines and refund steps for stranded customers
American, United and Frontier said they would help Spirit customers affected by the shutdown. Ray said he welcomed that support and thought someone should help make up for the loss.
Spirit said it will automatically refund flights bought directly with a credit or debit card. Customers who booked through a travel agent will need to request refunds through that agent.
Some passengers pointed to past problems with Spirit
For a few travelers, the shutdown revived memories of previous bad experiences with the carrier. Danielle said the airline had once broken her luggage and she did not receive compensation for it.
Ray said cheap fares came with tradeoffs, describing rough flights and lost or missing belongings as part of the airline’s reputation.
Plan smarter with Travel Your Way.