2026 has been a frustrating year for American flyers. Oil price volatility from the Iran war is translating to higher ticket prices, and Congress’s failure to fund the Transportation Security Administration has fueled airport chaos. The fiasco currently unfolding with Spirit Airlines, which could leave travelers with fewer choices or taxpayers with a bigger bill, is the latest complication.

Some have been quick to blame the free market and airlines for the travel turbulence. But these are clearly government-caused problems, not market ones.