Spirit Airlines only has enough available cash to continue operations for a matter of days, not weeks, and talks for a government-backed rescue of the no-frills carrier have stalled, sources say.

It’s way more than fuel costs that pushed Spirit Airlines to the brink of liquidation and led President Trump to muse about “buying” them. Many low cost airlines are struggling due to a canny and calculated set of strategies from bigger airlines that we can think of as ‘revenge of the legacy carriers.

April 28 (Reuters) - Spirit Airlines' discussions over a potential $500 million U.S. government rescue financing have hit an impasse, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing sources. A group of lenders,

Spirit Airlines’ efforts to secure a $500 million financial lifeline hit a significant roadblock as lenders balk at the terms of the proposed rescue package.

Spirit Airlines helped pioneer ultra-cheap flying and soared. Then legacy airlines copied them, outmaneuvered them with loyalty programs, and the economy turned against their core customers.

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - Spirit Airlines said no bankruptcy court hearing will take place on Thursday as discussions over the terms of a potential $500 million U.S. government rescue continue with lenders.

A former baggage handler who worked on behalf of Spirit Airlines at Norfolk International Airport, or ORF, is facing felony charges after court documents say he stole high-value items from passengers’ checked luggage on two separate flights.