Iran War Fuel Crisis Grounds Spirit Airlines on US Soil
The Iran crisis has struck directly on American soil, as budget carrier Spirit Airlines canceled all flights Saturday and began an “orderly wind-down,” citing a doubling of jet fuel prices due to the two-month-old US war with Iran. The collapse will cost thousands of jobs and marks a severe blow to President Donald Trump, whose proposed $500 million bailout failed amid opposition from Republican allies.
Spirit had 4,119 domestic flights scheduled through mid-May, offering over 800,000 seats. A bankruptcy exit deal unraveled after war-related fuel spikes upended cost projections. “Despite the Company’s efforts, the recent material increase in oil prices…significantly impacted Spirit’s financial outlook,” the airline said. Passengers were told not to go to airports. The grounding of a major US carrier on domestic tarmacs underscores how Washington’s overseas conflict has triggered an energy crisis at home.


