India, May 2 -- One of America's most recognizable airlines, Spirit Airlines, shut down operations effective May 2, 2026, after a White House-backed rescue deal failed, leaving around 15,000 employees without jobs and stranding thousands of passengers.

Spirit Airlines, which had been operating for more than three decades, announced the closure through its official website and social media handles.

The homepage of its website reads, "Spirit Is Winding Down All Operations."

In its official statement, the company said, "It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately. To our Guests: all flights have been cancelled, and customer service is no longer ...