Historic LaGuardia Airport terminal deserted after Spirit Airlines shutdown

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The abrupt shutdown of Spirit Airlines over the weekend has turned an entire terminal at LaGuardia Airport into a ghost town.

Just last Friday, the airport’s tiny but mighty Marine Air Terminal was abuzz with Spirit Airlines passengers. The low-cost airline held the lease at all six of the gates at the landmarked terminal, which dates back to 1940 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

But on Tuesday, the terminal's entrance were covered in "no entry" signs and hastily printed posters directing Spirit ticketholders to call other airlines.

When Spirit Airlines unexpectedly announced early Saturday that it would begin an “orderly wind-down” by cancelling all its flights and customer service, it also meant that the Marine Air Terminal would essentially shut down, too.

The terminal, also known as Terminal A, technically remains open to the public, but its concession stands and customer service desks were closed on Tuesday.

The Transportation Security Administration checkpoints were closed off, as there were no ticketed passengers to use them. The only portion of the terminal being used was a lounge for Modern Aviation, a private and charter plane service.

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