Clock ticks on Spirit Airlines as bondholders weigh Trump bailout. Here's what could happen next

spirit airlines has about a week to figure out its future. trump said thursday the government could bail out or buy the struggling discount carrier. "we're thinking about doing it, helping them out, meaning bailing them out, or buying it," he told reporters in the oval office. bondholders are assessing a potential deal. a tentative term sheet involves a $500 million loan that could give the government a 90% stake in the florida-based carrier, with the government ahead of other investors. a bankruptcy court hearing could come as early as monday. spirit's lawyer said the loan would get the airline into "standalone fighting shape" but could also set up a merger. spirit had a $28.3 million operating loss in february, before jet fuel costs surged after the u.s.-israel attacks on iran. the airline has slashed operations — it ran 19,575 flights last may but only 9,353 this may. some analysts question whether $500 million is enough. "how deep does he want to go?" said melius research analyst conor cunningham.