Spirit Airlines Inc. shares fell more than 60% in the after-hours session Tuesday after the Wall Street Journal reported it was nearing bankruptcy after merger talks with Frontier Group Holdings Inc.

Spirit Airlines is preparing to file for bankruptcy protection after merger talks with Frontier Airlines broke down, according to people familiar with the matter. The Florida-based budget airline is in advanced discussions with bondholders to hammer out a bankruptcy plan that would have support from a majority of creditors,

Spirit Airlines Inc. is preparing to file for bankruptcy protection after merger talks with Frontier Group Holdings Inc. broke down, the Wall Street Journal reported.