Spirit Airlines Unions Want What Trump Wants: ‘Lend Us Some Money Now’

BusinessAerospace & DefenseSpirit Airlines Unions Want What Trump Wants: ‘Lend Us Some Money Now’ByTed Reed,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Charlotte-based reporter Ted Reed covers airlines and airline labor.Follow AuthorApr 29, 2026, 08:37am EDTApr 29, 2026, 08:41am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.AFA created a composite of working Spirit flight attendants who want to save the airlne. Association of Flight AttendantsIn the Spirit bankruptcy, labor unions and President Trump are both calling for financing to save the airline.However, Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, which represents about 5,000 Spirit flight attendants, said Tuesday in an interview that Trump should move quickly to implement that financing he says he wants. “There is no evidence that Trump is pushing for this,” Nelson said. “If he were, it would be done. He should do it now. It would be a done deal. “The main point here is that 19.000 people will lose their jobs and their health care immediately,” were Spirit to shut down, Nelson said. ” Other airlines would pick up the pieces, but without responsibility to the workers.”AFA is the only union on the creditors committee for the Spirit bankruptcy. Some bondholders, also on the committee, have been skeptical about federal assistance. The Spirit piece with the most value to other airlines is a package of 44 slots at LaGuardia, which enable 22 takeoffs and landings.Counts of Spirit employees vary. The 19,000 figure includes direct employees, contract employees and furloughed employees. Today, the airline employs about 9,500 workers. The AFA represents 3,000 active flight attendants and 2,000 flight attendants who have been furloughed.Trump has made several statements indicating support for Spirit’s continued operation. On CNBC on April 21, he answered a question about reports...