Spirit Airlines to keep flying after filing for bankruptcy protection

• Spirit Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, it said Monday.
• The airline will continue to operate as normal, and all tickets remain valid, it added.
• Spirit has struggled since a proposed merger with JetBlue was blocked by a federal judge in March.

Spirit Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, it said Monday morning.

In an open letter to customers, the budget airline said people can continue to book tickets and fly as normal as it undergoes a financial restructuring.

Spirit has struggled since a planned merger with JetBlue was called off in March after a federal judge blocked it.

The Wall Street Journal had reported last week that the airline was planning to file for bankruptcy protection.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.