Long lines, stranded passengers and more than half of flights cancelled as Spirit Airlines enters fifth day of "operational issues"

Spirit Airlines is struggling to rebound as it enters its fifth day of widespread cancellations. By Thursday afternoon, Spirit had cancelled 53% of the day's scheduled flights, according to global aviation database, FlightAware. 

Spirit spokesperson, Erik Hofmeyer, attributed the widespread delays and cancellations to "operational issues," including staffing shortages, severe weather and system outages that began Sunday. Spirit is offering to double its pay for flight attendants to work extra shifts.

Hofmeyer, along with the airline's pilot and flight attendant union, have debunked rumors that claim the travel issues stem from...