Spirit Airlines rejected a $400 million merger proposal from Frontier this week, saying the offer was financially inadequate and came too late. Spirit Airlines declined an opportunity to merge with rival low-cost airline Frontier on Wednesday.

Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection last year, says it has rejected the new Frontier overture but would be open to a higher offer.

Discount carrier says a merger would be a better path out of bankruptcy for Spirit, which has rebuffed the latest proposal.