TAMPA, Fla. — A vacation to the Sunshine State is ending in chaos for Marsela Shuau.
“When I came here to check in my luggage, they said, ‘Oh I’m sorry your flight has been canceled.’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’” Shuau said.
She was supposed to be on Tuesday morning’s Spirit Airlines flight to Detroit.
Now she doesn’t know when she will be able to get home, but she knows it needs to be before Friday.
What You Need To Know
- Spirit Airlines canceled almost every flight out of Tampa International Airport on Monday and Tuesday
- People like Marsela Shuau are now in a difficult situation as they're unable to return home
- TPA officials are encouraging anyone flying Spirit Airlines this week to check with the airline ahead of time and plan accordingly
“I have my citizenship interview on Friday. And I have to be there for sure,” Shuau said.
This story sounds similar to one you’ll hear from many Spirit Airlines customers this week after the airline was forced to cancel hundreds of flights around the country due to what they are calling “operational challenges.”
“We’ve noticed that a lot of the airlines have been having staffing issues, just like really every other industry,” said Emily Nipps with Tampa International Airport. “We’re not exactly sure what the issue is with Spirit and what the specific issue is with the crew, but we understand that they are trying to work that out and get those planes back up in the air.”
According to Nipps, every single Spirit flight in and out of Tampa was canceled Monday and most were canceled Tuesday, leaving passengers like Shuau with minimal options: either accept a refund or be put on a rescheduled flight. A rescheduled flight is not guaranteed either, given the circumstances.
“I’m trying to find a solution. I’m going to go right now to the rental car to see if they can help me get a car and go straight to Detroit,” Shuau said.
Other customers we spoke with say they had no choice but to book flights on other airlines, costing them hundreds — in some cases thousands — of dollars out of pocket.
TPA officials are encouraging anyone who might be flying Spirit Airlines this week to check with the airline ahead of time and plan accordingly.
