FLORIDA- Diana Beach-headquartered Spirit Airlines (NK) is set to furlough over 300 more pilots as part of its cost-cutting measures to reduce its losses.
This furlough comes after a Florida-based carrier announced that it would temporarily remove 186 pilots.
Spirit Airlines to Furlough Over 300 Pilots
Spirit Airlines will furlough 330 pilots and demote 120 captains by January 31, 2025, marking a significant restructuring of its flight crew operations. The cuts affect nearly 10% of the airline’s 3,500-pilot workforce.
The low-cost carrier implements these changes as part of broader cost-cutting measures aimed at restoring profitability. The airline plans to reduce flight volumes, necessitating a smaller pilot workforce.
“We are implementing a series of cost savings initiatives throughout our business, including a lowering in the workforce, as part of our comprehensive plan to become profitable again,” a Spirit spokesperson told AirlineGeeks.
The spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to handling the workforce reduction with sensitivity, stating, “These decisions are never made lightly, and we are committed to treating all affected Team Members with the highest care and regard during this process.”
Challenges for Spirit Pilots
Let’s go a little back, Spirit Airlines in October 2023 announced that they will temporarily stop the training of new pilots and flight attendants, with plans to remain in effect “until further notice.”
But a few months ago, Spirit Airlines took steps to slow down the hiring process and captain promotions.
Further, In April 2024, Spirit Airlines said that they plan to furlough approximately 260 Pilots effective September 1, 2024. These come as Spirit Airlines faces mounting challenges of Airbus plane groundings and GTF engine availability issues. Further, there are aircraft deferrals for 2025 and 2026.
But in contrast to all this, Spirit Airlines will open a new crew base for pilots at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in September 2024. The Ultra-low-Cost-carrier plans to base over 200 pilots in Newark (EWR), with additional supervisors and support functions to follow.
Spirit has grown to become the second-largest carrier at EWR, with up to 32 peak day departures and service to 22 destinations, including seven added in the past year.
But, I think it’s difficult for them to go ahead with their plans as airlines face lots of financial and operational challenges.
Latest Challenges
A few days back, JetBlue Airways (B6) founder David Neeleman criticized Spirit Airlines’ merger decisions, advocating for the initially planned Frontier Airlines (F9) partnership.
Spirit Airlines originally announced a merger with Frontier Airlines in 2022, targeting a consolidation of major low-fare carriers.
JetBlue’s higher-value bid redirected Spirit’s merger trajectory, ultimately failing after antitrust regulators blocked the deal in January 2024. Both airlines terminated merger efforts in March.
However, there are reports that Spirit and Denver-based Frontier Airlines (F9) are again resuming talks for a merger.
Spirit Airlines engages in preliminary merger discussions with Frontier Airlines, sources close to the matter reveal to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and there is the possibility that the deal cannot move ahead. These renewed talks emerge as Spirit Airlines navigates potential bankruptcy proceedings.
The airline secured a $519 million deal with GA Telesis to sell 23 of its older Airbus A320 family aircraft.
Frontier and Spirit Airlines operate on very similar ULCC models and they can easily streamline their narrowbody Airbus fleet.
Spirit Airlines explores multiple financial pathways, including out-of-court restructuring options to stabilize its balance sheet.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
