Aug 29 (Reuters) - U.S. no-frills pioneer Spirit

Airlines filed for fresh chapter 11 bankruptcy

protection on Friday, as dwindling cash and mounting losses

derailed its turnaround efforts since emerging from a previous

Chapter 11 reorganization in March.

The carrier, recognizable by its bright yellow jets, has

struggled to steady operations since emerging from its first

bankruptcy in March.

Flights, ticket sales, reservations and operations will

continue, the airline said on Friday.

Spirit had been attempting to rebrand as a more premium

airline to keep pace with post-pandemic travel trends that have

challenged the viability of the ultra-low-cost model.

But Spirit's recovery was further hit by uncertainty

from President Donald Trump's tariffs and budget cuts, which

have cooled consumer spending and driven down domestic airfares.

The airline was forced to raise

going-concern

doubts earlier this month.

"Since emerging from our previous restructuring, which

was targeted exclusively on reducing Spirit's funded debt and

raising equity capital, it has become clear that there is much

more work to be done and many more tools are available to best

position Spirit for the future," said CEO Dave Davis.

The Florida-based airline first sought

bankruptcy

protection last November after years of losses, failed

merger bids and mounting debt, becoming the first major U.S.

carrier to do so since 2011.

It posted a $1.2 billion net loss last year, with its

troubles compounded by the collapse of a $3.8 billion merger

with JetBlue Airways and RTX's Pratt & Whitney engine

issues that forced it to ground many of its Airbus

jets.

Spirit began in 1964 as a long-haul trucking company

before shifting to aviation in the 1980s, initially flying

leisure packages under the name Charter One Airlines.

It rebranded as Spirit in 1992 and built its reputation

as a discount carrier for budget-conscious travelers willing to

skip extras like checked bags and seat assignments.

But the pandemic upended that model, as demand shifted

toward more comfortable, experience-driven travel, leaving

ultra-low-cost carriers struggling to adapt.