Opinion

We will all pay for the Democrats’ antitrust crusade that killed Spirit Airlines

Airfares are surging and JetBlue faces challenges after the budget carrier's collapse

By Bob Barr Fox News

Published May 11, 2026 7:00am EDT

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Former FAA spokesperson says ‘writing was on the wall’ for Spirit shutdown

Former FAA spokesperson Scott Brenner discusses the factors behind Spirit Airlines’ shutdown, including rising fuel costs and industry pressures, on ‘America’s Newsroom.’

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Summer is almost here and many Americans are worried they won’t be able to take a vacation. The cost of airfare alone is up a whopping 18% over the same time in 2025.

Flying to the beach or Disney World has become unaffordable for many middle-class families and the future looks bleak. Spirit Airlines, a major budget air carrier, canceled all flights and announced on May 2 that it's going out of business, leaving fliers stranded with fewer low-cost options.

Spirit’s demise is the direct fault of the Biden administration, which killed a business deal that would have saved the airline. They were cheered on by key Democrats who need to be held accountable for their economic malpractice.

In 2022, Spirit and JetBlue announced they planned to merge into a new airline. The carrier would have combined the best of both businesses, leveraging JetBlue’s global scale in service of Spirit’s low prices.

DUFFY BLAMES BIDEN-BUTTIGIEG TEAM FOR SPIRIT AIRLINES COLLAPSE AFTER BLOCKED MERGER

A Spirit Airlines Airbus A-320 departs from Harry Reid International Airport en route to Boise on March 15, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nev.........

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