Just things seemed to be looking up for airlines, DOT largely denied the first few requests for exemptions from minimum service requirements. As our Brianna Gurciullo reports, DOT disagreed with most of the requests for exemptions from JetBlue and Spirit, meaning that the airlines will have to continue or resume service to locations they had asked to stop.
The denials led to some speculation that Spirit in particular could decide not to accept government help, but the airline quashed that in a statement. “We’re thankful for the expeditious review of our temporary waiver requests as part of the minimum service requirements included in the CARES Act,” spokesman Erik Hofmeyer said. “We will fully comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation requirements.”
