The collapse of Spirit Airlines has sparked emotional reactions from travelers and former employees who say the airline created opportunities that extended far beyond low-cost flights. As thousands lose their jobs and budget-conscious flyers brace for rising airfare prices, many are reflecting on the company’s unique role in providing accessibility, mobility and representation within the airline industry. The shutdown has also raised broader concerns about what the future of affordable air travel could look like without one of the nation’s most recognizable budget carriers.
Category: Transportation
Posted inBUSINESS
BWI’s $520M upgrade brings modern gates and faster baggage system
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) joined BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport leaders to celebrate the $520 million Concourse A/B Connector and upgraded baggage system, enhancing passenger flow, expanding gates, and strengthening the airport’s role as a regional economic engine.
Posted inTransportation
Air travelers face more delays and cancellations as president threatens air traffic controllers
The Federal Aviation Administration is continuing to reduce flights at 40 major U.S. airports as part of a safety initiative to manage growing strain from the ongoing government shutdown. Shown here, a board displaying canceled flights at O’Hare International Airport, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Chicago.
Posted inTransportation
Flight delays persist as government shutdown leads to air traffic controller shortages
Flight delays continued across major U.S. airports Nov. 2 as air traffic controller shortages worsened amid the ongoing government shutdown. Airports including Newark, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles experienced multi-hour delays and some cancellations, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized he won’t fire controllers working without pay.
Posted inBaltimore News
As Amtrak builds Frederick Douglass Tunnel, West Baltimore residents push back
West Baltimore resident Tahera Arrington says Amtrak’s Frederick Douglass Tunnel project has upended her life—bringing dust, noise, pests, and damage to her home. Now, she fears displacement and the loss of the community she’s lived in since childhood.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Free Independence Day Lyft rides offered throughout Greater Washington to prevent drunk driving
To reduce drunk driving during one of the deadliest holidays for traffic fatalities, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) will offer free Lyft rides on July 4 from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. on July 5 across the D.C. metro area. The SoberRideⓇ initiative, which covers up to $15 of a Lyft fare, aims to prevent impaired driving and save lives during Independence Day celebrations.
Posted inAfro Briefs
Three car buying mistakes that can cost you more than you think
Many car buyers focus on the sticker price but overlook key ownership costs like insurance, maintenance and taxes, which can add thousands to their total expenses. To avoid financial surprises, it’s essential to research insurance quotes, expected repair costs and additional fees before purchasing a vehicle.
Posted inTransportation
Major U.S. bridges at high risk of collisions with ships
Preliminary findings of an urgent assessment of the nation’s bridge vulnerability following the 2024 Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore have revealed that major bridges across the United States are highly likely to be hit by ships, with some bridges expecting a major ship collision once every 20 to 50 years.
Posted inTransportation
Red Line and other transit projects face tough odds this spring
Maryland lawmakers are putting transit priorities, including Baltimore’s Red Line, on hold due to bleak federal funding prospects and a search for savings in the state budget, while some lawmakers argue that investing in transit is essential for economic growth and rural transit agencies are struggling to provide reliable service.
Posted inAfro Briefs
Southwest Airlines flight abruptly rises to avoid another plane crossing Chicago runway
A Southwest Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing at Chicago’s Midway Airport after a business jet crossed the runway, forcing the plane to climb back into the sky.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
How Washington D.C. is committing to electric vehicles
Electric vehicles are changing the face of transportation, leading to a contentious political environment in which Republican leaders in North Carolina and Virginia have rolled back EV initiatives adopted by Democrats, and President-elect Trump has criticized EV policies under President Biden.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Layoffs begin for Circulator employees in D.C. as phase-out plans continue
D.C. officials are proceeding with plans to shut down the city’s Circulator system by Dec. 31, despite protests from employees who operate the free bus system, who are facing layoffs and reduced wages.