Trump Dismisses a Merger While Seeking Suitors for Spirit Airlines

As he rejected the idea of a merger of United Airlines and American Airlines, President Trump said someone, including possibly the federal government, should buy or help Spirit.

⏱ وقت القراءة: 2 دقيقة • 🎯 محتوى تعليمي

Advertisement

SKIP ADVERTISEMENTYou have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.

President Trump said on Tuesday that he was opposed to a merger of United Airlines and American Airlines, but that he welcomed other airline deals and was open to the government helping at least one struggling carrier.

Mr. Trump said that he did not “mind mergers” and would welcome a deal that might rescue Spirit Airlines from bankruptcy. He also suggested that the federal government could provide assistance to keep Spirit in business.

“Spirit’s in trouble and I’d love somebody to buy Spirit,” he said in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday. “It’s 14,000 jobs and maybe the federal government should help that one out.”

Spirit is in its second bankruptcy in two years. It has been hurt by fierce competition, rising costs, a failed attempt to sell itself to JetBlue Airways and problems with some of its jet engines. The rise in the cost of jet fuel stemming from the war in Iran has recently added to Spirit’s difficulties.

It is not clear how the Trump administration might help Spirit, and Mr. Trump offered no details about what options he was considering. The U.S. government has offered financial assistance to airlines in the past, including after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and during the Covid pandemic, but that aid was authorized by legislation.

Spirit’s position is further complicated by its bankruptcy, which makes it more difficult for the government to buy shares in the company. Any effort by Mr. Trump to help Spirit could also encourage other smaller airlines that are struggling because of the Iran war to ask for government assistance.

---

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.

---

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in.

Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

Related Content

Advertisement

SKIP ADVERTISEMENT

الوسوم: #Spirit • #that • #Trump • #government • #your • #access • #Airlines • #while

المصدر: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/21/business/trump-spirit-airlines-united-american.html