Alphabet’s Google unit has agreed to purchase Spirit Airlines’ internal business data for $10 million as part of the bankrupt carrier’s liquidation process, according to court documents filed Monday.
The transaction, which excludes customer data, includes de-identified materials such as employee emails, Microsoft Teams messages, spreadsheets, calendars, and operational and marketing files. Spirit Airlines, operating under bankruptcy protection since early 2025, plans to shut down operations in May 2026 after failing to restructure under high fuel costs and debt burdens.
A competing bid from AI data company Mercor for $7.5 million was rejected by Spirit’s bankruptcy trustee. The Delaware Bankruptcy Court is scheduled to consider approval of the Alphabet deal at a hearing on Wednesday.
The agreement specifies that all data must be stripped of personally identifiable information prior to transfer, aligning with privacy compliance standards. Spirit Airlines, which filed for Chapter 11 protection in January 2025, cited unsustainable financial pressures including a $3.3 billion debt load and elevated jet fuel prices as primary factors in its decision to wind down operations.
The sale of non-customer assets is part of Spirit’s broader liquidation strategy, with proceeds expected to be distributed to creditors following court approval.
