Spirit Airlines to Furlough 270 Pilots and Reduce Captain Positions Amid Schedule Cuts
Just the facts
Business

Spirit Airlines to Furlough 270 Pilots and Reduce Captain Positions Amid Schedule Cuts

Summary

Spirit Airlines plans to furlough 270 pilots and downgrade 140 captains to first officers as it adjusts staffing for a reduced flight schedule. The changes are part of the carrier's efforts to stabilize financially after emerging from bankruptcy.

Spirit Airlines announced it will furlough 270 pilots this fall as the company prepares for a reduced flight schedule in the off-season. In addition, 140 pilots will be downgraded from captain to first officer, with those changes taking effect on October 1, according to a communication from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

The airline stated that the furloughs, which begin November 1, are intended "to better align staffing with our flight schedule." Captain Ryan Muller, chairman of Spirit's ALPA chapter, acknowledged the impact on pilots, saying, "We know how hard this news hits, and there's no dressing that up. Spirit continues to shrink, and with it, the value of pilot seniority and Spirit careers continues to erode."

The staffing reductions come as Spirit works to regain financial stability following its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March.

Source

CNBC

Related News

Spirit Airlines to Furlough 1,800 Flight Attendants Amid Cost-Cutting Measures

• CNBC

Fact-checking

Fact-check the facts of the article using external sources and databases.

!
Partly Confirmed

Spirit Airlines announced it will furlough 270 pilots this fall as the company prepares for a reduced flight schedule in the off-season.

!
Unverified

In addition, 140 pilots will be downgraded from captain to first officer, with those changes taking effect on October 1, according to a communication from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

!
Unverified

The airline stated that the furloughs, which begin November 1, are intended 'to better align staffing with our flight schedule.'

!
Unverified

Captain Ryan Muller, chairman of Spirit's ALPA chapter, acknowledged the impact on pilots, saying, 'We know how hard this news hits, and there's no dressing that up. Spirit continues to shrink, and with it, the value of pilot seniority and Spirit careers continues to erode.'

✓
Confirmed

The staffing reductions come as Spirit works to regain financial stability following its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March.

Keep reading — for free

Create a free account to follow the news. No card required.