MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) released a travel advisory Saturday morning after Spirit Airlines went out of business after more than three decades.
Spirit Airlines, known for discount fares, announced Saturday that all flight operations have stopped, and even customer service is shut down.
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The low-cost airline employed about 17,000 people with hundreds of daily flights, said it had “started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately.”
In a social media post from MYR, it said in part, “Passengers scheduled to travel on Spirit Airlines should not come to the airport, unless already booked with a new airline. Customers who purchased tickets via credit card should contact their credit card issuer or travel agency regarding refunds and next steps.”
This comes after Spirit Airlines had been pushing to secure a $500 million deal with the government before running out of funds.
FULL MYR STATEMENT:
In a news release from MYR, it said Spirit Airlines’ nearly 30-year partnership was one of the airport’s longest-serving and most impactful airline partners.
The statement added, “Spirit Airlines played a significant role in shaping the air service landscape of the Grand Strand, helping to establish MYR as a vibrant and accessible destination for millions of travelers. The airport team is deeply grateful for Spirit’s decades of service and for the dedication of its employees—both in Myrtle Beach and nationwide—who supported operations and served the community.”
The release said, “The operational volatility experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of reducing reliance on any single carrier. In 2020, Spirit accounted for nearly 50 percent of MYR’s total seat capacity, prompting airport leadership to reassess its long-term air service strategy.”
The statement said that after the 2020 pandemic, MYR put in place an air service development strategy to expand travel options. Spirit’s share of total capacity at MYR dropped to around 23% in 2025, reflecting a more balanced mix of airline service. Airport staff are actively engaged with other airlines, with hopes that many routes previously served by Spirit may be reintroduced by other carriers.
“Our thoughts are with the many employees affected by this news,” said Judi Olmstead, Director of Airports. “We are grateful to Spirit for nearly three decades of service to Myrtle Beach. At the same time, we remain confident in the resilience of MYR due to the deliberate steps taken in recent years to foster a balanced and competitive air service environment.”
Visit Myrtle Beach also spoke out about Spirit operations stopping across the nation and in the Grand Strand.
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“Following Spirit Airlines’ announcement that it has ceased operations across the country, including at MYR, Visit Myrtle Beach is working closely with MYR and community leaders to address the impact this has on our region, including supporting affected employees and travelers,” said Stuart Butler, President, Visit Myrtle Beach. “While this news is unfortunate, Myrtle Beach remains accessible through a diverse network of carriers, and visitors should continue to travel with confidence. The greater Myrtle Beach region is resilient, and our goal is to keep Myrtle Beach accessible and affordable for visitors as well as provide a prosperous quality of life for residents.”
