Jan 22 (Reuters) - Spirit Airlines is in talks with investment firm Castlelake for a potential takeover of ‌the bankrupt carrier, CNBC News ​reported on Thursday, citing people ‍familiar with the matter.

Frontier ⁠Airlines ⁠had been in talks with Spirit ‌for a potential ​merger, but the low-cost rival was unable to ⁠secure a ‍deal, ​the report said.

The report comes as Spirit's future appears increasingly ‍uncertain, with cash running low during its bankruptcy proceedings, its second in less than a year.

Last ​month, ‍the airline secured an additional $100 million in emergency ​financing to support operations and restructuring while under court protection.

Spirit and Castlelake did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for ​a comment.