While rumors of its death may be greatly exaggerated, Spirit Airlines is once again at the center of media reports warning of imminent shutdown and liquidation. Such rumors are not definitive, but must be taken seriously now more than ever as the bankrupt carrier struggles in a new environment of surging oil prices.
The immediate trigger appears to be a spike in oil prices tied to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Higher fuel costs are hitting all airlines, but they are especially punishing for a carrier like Spirit, which has little margin for error as it tries to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and return to profit by shrinking its fleet and route map.
But focusing only on fuel misses the bigger story.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
