United Airlines Holdings Inc. plans to increase daily flights to 15 cities starting in January to help out passengers of Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. in case the financially strapped carrier goes out of business.

The new 19 daily round-trip flights start Jan. 6 and will remain in United’s schedule going forward, the carrier said Thursday in a statement.

Spirit has told customers its most recent bankruptcy filing - the second in less than a year - will not impact the airline’s operations, tickets or loyalty program. There haven’t yet been any indications it plans to cease operations, but Spirit warned investors last month it might not survive without additional cash infusions.

The new United flights could place additional pressure on the carrier if it’s still operating beyond the end of

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