Experts Warn Spirit Airlines Could Permanently Ground Flights Amid Fuel Price Spikes

Travelers advised to have backup plans as budget carrier faces potential liquidation

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:06am

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A close-up, high-contrast photograph of a premium-looking airplane ticket lying on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the precarious state of the airline industry amid rising fuel costs.As fuel prices soar, the future of budget airlines like Spirit hangs in the balance, leaving travelers to navigate uncertain skies.Baltimore Today

Multiple reports indicate that budget airline Spirit Airlines could be forced to shut down operations permanently due to surging fuel costs, leaving travelers across the country, including in Baltimore, on edge about potential disruptions to their travel plans. Travel experts are advising Spirit customers to have backup options ready in case the airline is unable to continue flying.

Why it matters

A potential Spirit Airlines shutdown would not only inconvenience travelers but also impact the airline's employees and airports that rely on the carrier's operations, as concessions and ground handling jobs would be lost. The situation highlights the vulnerability of budget airlines to external economic factors like fuel prices, which could force some carriers out of business.

The details

Fuel prices have spiked due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and other global powers, putting significant financial pressure on budget airlines like Spirit that operate on thin profit margins. Travel experts suggest Spirit customers hold onto their existing tickets but also purchase fully refundable tickets on other airlines as a backup plan in case Spirit is forced to liquidate and cease operations.

  • Spirit flights out of BWI-Marshall Airport are scheduled for the next two weeks.
  • The potential Spirit shutdown comes as fuel prices have risen due to the war with Iran.

The players

Spirit Airlines

A budget airline that operates flights across the United States, including from Baltimore's BWI-Marshall Airport.

John Marshall

A Spirit Airlines passenger who has a flight booked out of BWI-Marshall Airport in the next two weeks.

Peter Greenberg

A travel editor with CBS News who is advising Spirit customers to have backup travel plans.

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What they’re saying

“It's just, you know, a great inconvenience to everybody, so hopefully they come up with a resolution.”

— Unnamed BWI-Marshall Airport traveler

“You can't count on Spirit being around if the fuel continues to spike. Cause they don't have a plan B.”

— Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, CBS News

“Hold onto the Spirit ticket, but at the same time, go out and buy a fully refundable ticket to the place you need to go to on another airline.”

— Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, CBS News

What’s next

Travel experts advise Spirit customers to purchase backup tickets on other airlines in case the budget carrier is forced to shut down operations.

The takeaway

The potential shutdown of Spirit Airlines highlights the vulnerability of budget airlines to external economic factors like fuel prices, which can quickly undermine their thin profit margins and force them out of business. This situation serves as a cautionary tale for travelers to have contingency plans when booking flights on airlines facing financial pressures.