Spirit Airlines

 Spirit Airlines was a very affordable airline in the United States. Recently, the company had serious financial problems. Fuel became more expensive, and fewer people wanted to travel. The airline also had a lot of debt. Because of this, the company could not continue operating normally.

Many experts say Spirit Airlines expanded too quickly and made very little profit. Budget airlines usually depend on low prices, but rising fuel costs made this difficult. After the company’s collapse, many passengers were stranded at airports, and flights across North and Latin America were disrupted.

The travel industry is also facing problems because of geopolitical tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, especially near the Strait of Hormuz. This area is very important for global oil transport. When there are problems in this region, oil and fuel prices rise quickly. Airlines then spend much more money on fuel.

Today, many airlines are increasing ticket prices, reducing routes, or delaying growth plans. Experts believe flying may become more expensive in the future, especially for budget travellers. Some large airlines can absorb higher costs, but smaller airlines are struggling to survive.

1. VOCABULARY MATCH

Paragraph 1


 
1. debta. people who travel
2. operatingb. sudden failure
3. expandedc. money made in business
4. profitd. working or functioning
5. passengerse. becoming larger
6. collapsef. money a person or company must pay back

Paragraph 2

WordMeaning
1. strandedg. connected to politics and countries
2. disruptedh. continue to live or exist
3. geopoliticali. paths or journeys between places
4. routesj. unable to continue a journey
5. absorbk. stopped or interrupted
6. survivel. take on costs

2. SYNONYM MATCH

Match the words from the text with similar meanings.

WordSynonym
1. collapsea. low-cost
2. expandedb. travellers
3. profitc. left behind
4. strandedd. costly
5. disruptede. money made
6. passengersf. interrupted
7. surviveg. grew
8. expensiveh. continue living
9. budgeti. failure
j. cheap
10. routes
11. affordable
k. paths


3. VOCABULARY PRACTICE

Complete the sentences with the correct word:

  1. Many passengers were __________ after the flight cancellation.
  2. Fuel price __________ makes planning difficult for airlines.
  3. Some airlines cannot __________ the higher fuel costs.
  4. Ticket prices are becoming less __________ for many travellers.
  5. The company’s fast __________ caused financial problems.

Words:
(expansion / accessible / volatility/  absorb / stranded)

4. AIR TRAVEL DISCUSSION

Student A

You believe air travel will become a luxury.

Student B

You believe air travel will stay affordable.

Change partners and discuss your ideas.


5. INDUSTRY CHALLENGES

ChallengeImpactPossible Solution
Flight delays
High ticket prices
Fuel costs
Overcrowding
Poor customer service

6. AIRLINES

What do you know about these airlines?

Rank them from most reliable to least reliable.


7. ROLE PLAY — AIRLINE CRISIS MEETING

Student A: Airline CEO

Student B: Financial Director

Your airline has rising fuel costs and fewer customers.

Discuss:

  • Should ticket prices increase?
  • Should routes be reduced?
  • How can you compete with luxury airlines?
  • Should you focus on survival or future growth?

8. ROLE PLAY — PASSENGER VS AIRLINE

Student A: Angry Passenger

Student B: Airline Representative

Situation:
Your flight was cancelled because of high fuel costs.

Discuss:

  • compensation
  • alternative flights
  • refunds
  • customer service

9. DISCUSSION — FUTURE OF TRAVEL

Which will have the biggest impact on travel?

  • Fuel shortages
  • Wars and geopolitical tensions
  • Climate rules
  • Technology (electric planes, AI)
  • Tourism demand

Explain your answers.


10. QUESTIONS

  1. Why did Spirit Airlines collapse?
  2. Will budget airlines survive in the future?
  3. How do fuel prices affect ticket prices?
  4. How do wars and politics affect travel?
  5. Will flying become a luxury?
  6. Which airlines are struggling today?
  7. Are luxury airlines worth the money?
  8. How do you usually choose an airline?
  9. What would improve air travel?
  10. Have you experienced travel disruption?

11. CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENTS

Discuss these opinions:

  • “Cheap flights are no longer sustainable.”
  • “Flying will become too expensive for many people.”
  • “Luxury airlines are the future.”
  • “Governments should control airline prices.”
  • “Politics affects travel more than economics.”

12. SCENARIOS

✈️ Fuel Crisis

Fuel prices suddenly double.

→ Do you cancel flights or increase prices?


🌍 Dangerous Airspace

Flights must avoid dangerous regions.

→ What is more important: safety or low cost?


💸 Budget Airline Problems

Your airline is losing money quickly.

→ Do you cut services or increase fares?


👨‍👩‍👧 Customer Complaints

Passengers are angry about higher prices.

→ How do you keep customer loyalty?


🛫 Luxury Airline Strategy

Your airline wants to attract richer travellers.

→ Is this a good long-term idea?


13. What woud you do in these SHORTAGES:

1. A shortage of cheap flights

What would happen to holidays and tourism?


2. A shortage of fuel

How would transport and prices change?


3. A shortage of food

Which foods would disappear first?


4. A shortage of water

How would daily life change?


5. A shortage of electricity

What would people do without power?


6. A shortage of teachers

How would schools and universities function?


7. A shortage of doctors and nurses

How would hospitals cope?


8. A shortage of housing

Where would people live?


9. A shortage of jobs

How would students prepare for the future?


10. A shortage of money

How would families reduce spending?


11. A shortage of internet access

Could people study or work normally?


12. A shortage of mobile phones or technology

How dependent are people on technology?


13. A shortage of public transport

How would people travel to work or school?


14. A shortage of petrol or diesel cars

Would electric vehicles replace them quickly?


15. A shortage of medicines

Who should receive treatment first?


16. A shortage of clean air in cities

What rules should governments introduce?


17. A shortage of tourist accommodation

Would travel become more expensive?


18. A shortage of workers

Which industries would suffer most?


19. A shortage of natural resources

Should governments limit consumption?


20. A shortage of time

How would modern life change if people worked fewer hours?

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