Spirit Airlines Shutdown Results in 17,000 Job Losses
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 04 2026
0mins
The shutdown of Spirit Airlines (FLYY) resulted in the loss of 17,000 jobs and disrupted the plans of tens of thousands of travelers, but experts say it is not yet clear whether the company's absence will have a significant impact on the industry, travelers, or the U.S. economy, Niraj Chokshi of The New York Times reports. Airlines will likely have an easier time raising fares and many will absorbs Spirit's assets in airports, but the effect may not be huge, since Spirit shrunk a lot recently and was in its second bankruptcy in two years. Publicly traded companies in the airline space include Alaska Air (ALK), American Airlines (AAL), Delta Air Lines (DAL), Frontier Group (ULCC), JetBlue (JBLU), Southwest (LUV), Sun Country Airlines (SNCY) and United Airlines (UAL).
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Analyst Views on ALK
Wall Street analysts forecast ALK stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 49.110
Low
63.00
Averages
71.10
High
80.00
Current: 49.110
Low
63.00
Averages
71.10
High
80.00
About ALK
Alaska Air Group, Inc. is engaged in operating airlines. The Company operates through its subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Inc., Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., Horizon Air Industries, Inc., and McGee Air Services. The Company's segments include Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Regional. The Alaska Airlines segment includes scheduled air transportation of passengers and cargo on Boeing 737 (B737), Boeing 787 (B787), Boeing 717 (B717), Airbus A330 (A330), Airbus A321neo (A321neo), and others, throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific. The Regional segment includes Horizon's and other third-party carriers scheduled air transportation on E175 jet aircraft for passengers under capacity purchase agreements (CPAs). The Company serves more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Central America, Asia and across the Pacific. The Company provides freight and mail services (cargo) using both freighter aircraft and the bellies of its passenger aircraft.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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See More
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- Crude Oil Price Plunge: WTI crude oil prices fell over 5% to a three-month low due to the US-Iran peace agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, easing inflation expectations and providing support for equity markets.
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