Spirit Airlines cancels dozens of flights amid reports it may shut down

Spirit Airlines has canceled dozens of flights as the low-cost carrier prepares to cease operations after failing to secure a government lifeline, according to flight tracking data and a report from the Wall Street Journal.

The cancellations began Friday, with 49 Spirit flights canceled for the rest of the day and three more canceled for Saturday, according to data from FlightAware as of 10 p.m. ET. The airline is expected to stop operating at 3 a.m., the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Spirit had been trying to finalize a $500 million bailout from the federal government before running out of cash, according to the outlet.

The deal failed to come together after Spirit was unable to get enough support from some bondholders and the government, the Journal reported.

President Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday that he wanted to help save Spirit jobs but would only agree to a deal if it was favorable to the government.

“If we can help them, we will. But we have to come first. We’re first,” Trump said, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Spirit, based in Miramar, Florida, is one of the largest budget airlines in the United States and is known for low base fares with added fees for bags, seat assignments and other services.