While several airlines are ready to step in and help stranded passengers, reports indicate that a major competitor is on the verge of shutting down and suspending its flights.
This alarming news comes from a report by The Air Current, which sounded the alarm on December 12, 2025.
The impending shutdown could potentially force a major U.S. airline to cease operations as soon as December 13, 2025, leaving many passengers with flights that are unexpectedly canceled during prime travel season.
According to The Air Current, the airline most at risk of closing is Spirit Airlines.
Spirit Airlines is currently in the midst of its second bankruptcy, and The Air Current indicates there is a December 13, 2025, deadline that could affect its ability to pull $100 million in financing.
If Spirit Airlines is unable to access funding, The Air Current reports that it may end its operations abruptly and immediately.
If Spirit Airlines were to shut down suddenly, it could have an immediate and devastating impact on passengers.
According to data from Cirium Diio, Spirit Airlines has 428 flights on December 13, 2025. If the airline does not receive the required capital injection, Air Current may not be able to proceed with those flights.
Related: Southwest Airlines Permanently Cancels Some Daily Flights
Spirit Airlines also has another 3,138 flights through December 20, 2025.
If the airline shuts down at any point during this period, it means all those passengers are displaced as they try to get home for the holidays.
“At least two major U.S. airlines have been planning for the possible demise of the struggling low-cost carrier since Saturday,” according to The Air Current.
Air Current said these airlines were said to be putting together rescue plans for affected passengers.
“Each is accelerating plans to provide schedules to backfill what will be Spirit’s canceled flights, as well as rescue fares for Spirit customers who are stuck with the sudden end of flights heading into one of the busiest travel periods of the year.”
While The Air Current is predicting that Spirit Airlines flights will end as early as December 13, the airline itself denies that this outcome is on the table.
“There is no truth to any rumors that we are preparing to cease operations. It is business as usual at Spirit, and flights are operating as normal,” a Spirit spokesperson said in an email.
“We are working closely with our debt-in-possession providers and other key stakeholders on various issues to support the financial needs and future of the business as we continue throughout our restructuring process,” the email also indicated.
While some airline executives are reportedly preparing to help Spirit passengers, not everyone is convinced the flights will end so soon.
“I don’t expect Saturday off,” Gary Leff wrote in View from the Wing.
“Spirit is not possible without a weekend injection of another $ 100 million in zero cash. And it is possible that their assets are worth more when they are a concern than a mere division. So if there is no agreed filing by the end of business today, despite Saturday’s deadline, the discussion may continue into next week.”
Still, Leff pointed out that Spirit is expected to come up with details of a restructuring plan or potential sale, and no plan has been filed despite the deadline for the release of funds. “Spirit is losing over $3 million a day and needs this funding,” he added.
None of this sounds optimistic, so for now, travelers can at least be relieved to hear that there’s a plan in the works should the worst happen.
RELATED: American Airlines cancels several daily flights starting in May
This story was originally published by TheStreet on December 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add TheStreet as a preferred source by clicking here.
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