A Spirit Airlines Airbus A320 taxis at Los Angeles International Airport after arriving from Boston on September 1, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Carter | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Spirit Airlines said Monday that it’ll furlough 270 pilots this fall because the carrier prepares for a smaller off-season schedule to try to search out its financial footing.
The airline will even downgrade 140 pilots from captain to first officer, based on a note to aviators from the Air Line Pilots Association, their union. Those downgrades take effect on Oct. 1.
“We understand how hard this news hits, and there is no dressing that up. Spirit continues to shrink, and with it, the worth of pilot seniority and Spirit careers continues to erode,” said Ryan Muller, a captain and the chairman of Spirit’s ALPA chapter.
The furloughs take effect on Nov. 1 “to raised align staffing with our flight schedule,” the airline said.
Spirit emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March and has been attempting to win over customers with more upscale travel options, which have fared higher than the bare-bones coach tickets Spirit has been known for for years.
“We’re taking needed steps to make sure we operate as efficiently as possible as a part of our efforts to return to profitability,” Spirit said in a press release to CNBC.
Airlines across the industry have said demand has been softer this 12 months, particularly in off-peak travel periods.
“We recognize the load of this decision and are committed to treating all affected Team Members with compassion and respect during this process,” Spirit said.
Spirit also announced tons of of pilot furloughs last 12 months because it approached its bankruptcy filing.
