Spirit Airlines has approached the Trump administration about an emergency bailout to keep the discount carrier in business and avoid liquidation as fuel prices rise, according to people familiar with the matter. The request comes as some creditors have questioned the airline's viability and raised concern it will be unable to make an upcoming multimillion-dollar debt payment, which could force the carrier into liquidation.

Spirit executives, along with executives of other low-cost carriers, are expected to meet with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy next week. Duffy regularly meets with discount carriers including Frontier, Allegiant, Avelo and Spirit.

Spirit was expected to exit bankruptcy by this summer—the second since 2024—after reaching an agreement with creditors that would eliminate billions in debt and shrink its fleet of Airbus jets. Fuel prices began spiking in late February due to the conflict in Iran, pressuring the carrier's finances before it could complete the restructuring.

One person familiar with the discussions described the carrier's position in stark terms. "Spirit is looking for a lifeline," the person said.

Airline industry analyst Henry Harteveldt said the situation is precarious. "Spirit is flying on financial fumes." If enough creditors decide to withdraw support, operations could cease almost immediately, or creditors could give the airline time to wind down operations, Harteveldt said.

"I would tell Spirit flyers to start looking for backup reservations just to be on the safe side," Harteveldt said. The airline was profitable for years before the pandemic but failed to merge with JetBlue as consumer preferences shifted toward more premium travel, contributing to its financial difficulties.