Spirit Airlines pilots sign off on final flights

Spirit Airlines closed after government failed to provide rescue package 03:06

Air traffic control audio recordings showed exchanges between some controllers and pilots. Spirit Airlines’ latest flights Saturday night, shortly after the airline announced it was ceasing operations government bailout It could not come to life.

Around midnight, an American Airlines employee at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is heard wishing Spirit employees well on the airline’s second and final flight at that airport.

“I’m sorry to hear what happened,” an American Airlines employee says in the audio obtained by LiveATC.com.

About 10 minutes later, the pilot of Spirit’s last flight at the airport asked the air traffic controller if any other Spirit flights were scheduled to land.

“I don’t see anything,” the controller replies. “You may be the last one.”

“That’s it for tonight,” says the pilot.

A recording from Chicago O’Hare International Airport shows air traffic control personnel sending good wishes to Spirit employees.

“It’s hard to believe that’s what happened,” the Spirit Airlines pilot says in the audio recording shared by ATC.com.

“Yes, I’m not kidding,” the tower staff replies. “It was a pleasure talking to you on the radio. I hope you can make it happen.”

Spirit Airlines was headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and employed approximately 15,000 people. Approximately 6,000 of these employees were located in Florida.

Transport Minister Sean Duffy said at a news conference on Saturday that other airlines were offering exclusive interviews to Spirit staff who lost their jobs.

The Air Line Pilots Association said Spirit’s closure was “a devastating blow to the more than 2,000 ALPA pilots and thousands of other hard-working employees who have dedicated their careers to this airline” and that staff “deserved better than this outcome.”