One of the most famous low-cost carriers in the US has officially shut down its operations. Spirit Airlines abruptly shuttered its business on Saturday, May 2, immediately nixing its entire flight schedule across the US and at international airports it served in Latin America. “All Spirit flights have been cancelled, and Spirit guests should not go to the airport,” the airline said in a statement on May 2. The sudden cancellations effectively stranded hundreds of travelers, who were left scrambling for alternative means of transportation. The pioneering budget carrier was among the first to launch a business model that centered ultra-low fares and made almost every service, from in-flight beverages and seat selection to carry-on bags , an add-on fee. In recent years, however, demand in the airline industry has shifted toward more premium products , which left Spirit embroiled in financial struggles: the carrier had entered bankruptcy restructuring two times in as many years.…