Spirit Airlines Shuts Down as First Iran War Casualty

Spirit Airlines ceased operations on Saturday, becoming the first US carrier to collapse due to the Iran war. Jet fuel prices doubled during the two-month conflict, and a Trump-backed $500 million bailout failed to materialize. The bankrupt discount carrier accounted for 5% of US flights at its peak, and no carrier of its size has liquidated in two decades. A Spirit board meeting ended without a rescue agreement. The airline announced an orderly wind-down, canceling all flights and asking passengers not to go to the airport. The collapse will cost thousands of jobs and is a blow to President Trump, who proposed the bailout despite opposition from advisers and Republicans.