President Donald Trump has suggested that the federal government could help keep Spirit Airlines afloat, while also encouraging a buyer to buy the struggling budget carrier. Spirit Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection in August for the second time in less than a year, was aiming to exit in late spring or early summer after striking a preliminary deal with lenders but this plan was disrupted when oil prices rose above $100 a barrel. The company has lost over $2.5 billion since the start of 2020. Despite previous buyout attempts from budget rivals like JetBlue and Frontier, Spirit has been under financial strain due to soft domestic demand and persistent losses. The union representing Spirit flight attendants has expressed concerns about the company's ability to continue operating.