US Department of Labor awards $5.6M to serve eligible individuals in Florida communities impacted by Spirit Airlines closure

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $5.6 million to the Florida Department of Commerce to support employment and training services for eligible individuals in communities impacted by the closure of Spirit Airlines.

The abrupt closure of Spirit Airlines Inc. on May 2, 2026, displaced more than 5,000 workers in Florida and triggered related layoffs at aircraft cleaning, fueling, ramp services, concessions, food service, retail, ground transportation, airport logistics, and security service providers. To date, an additional 223 workers have received Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices, with further layoffs expected as aviation-dependent businesses continue to adjust operations.

"The National Dislocated Worker Grant to support Floridians in the wake of the Spirit Airlines closure empowers dislocated workers with rapid, employer-driven reskilling pathways to quickly secure new, high-wage jobs," said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. "This critical funding will support the Florida Department of Commerce's ongoing efforts to ensure all impacted workers have a smooth pathway back into a mortgage-paying career."

Administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration, this National Dislocated Worker Grant will allow the Florida Department of Commerce to provide retraining and skills development services for dislocated workers seeking assistance in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Orange counties.

Authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event that leads to workforce needs exceeding available resources.

Explore Labor Department resources for job seekers.

To connect with former Spirit Airlines employees or contractors who have found new employment or upskilling opportunities, reach out to one of the media contacts listed below.