Spirit Airlines, a discount carrier founded in 1983 in Detroit, has officially ceased operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the United States. The abrupt shutdown followed failed negotiations for a government bailout and a blocked merger with JetBlue, which many believe could have saved the airline. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated that the company had been in financial trouble long before the recent spike in jet fuel prices due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. As a result, stranded travelers are facing exorbitant ticket prices on competing airlines, with some reporting costs exceeding $600 for last-minute flights. The political fallout includes accusations from Republicans blaming the Biden administration for blocking the JetBlue merger, while Democrats point to rising fuel costs as a significant factor in Spirit's demise. Spirit had around 4,000 domestic flights scheduled through mid-May, and its closure marks the end of an era for budget air travel in America.