Spirit CEO urges employees, passengers to get Covid shots, but says the airline has no mandate

Spirit Airlines CEO Ted Christie said Friday that he’s urging all passengers and employees to get Covid shots, even though the low-cost carrier has no plans to implement vaccine requirements. “Rising case counts with regard to the delta variant obviously is a concern for everybody,” Christie said. "The answer to that, we believe, is to get your vaccine, make sure you get out there and get vaccinated.” Christie said the company does not have the authority to mandate vaccines for travelers, saying that he believes it’s going to be a “federal question.” Spirit, however, is still “strongly encouraging” employees to get vaccinated and use facial coverings, he said. The CEO said Spirit implemented facial covering requirements since early in the pandemic, which remain in place today as the highly contagious delta variant drives the latest surge in Covid cases across the United States. Even though some pandemic-based restrictions are slowly returning, Christie said the “market is still open” with airlines able to operate without limitations on travel.<br/>