Ongoing Staffing Challenges Reportedly Limiting Full Fleet Utilization

Spirit Airlines announced their third-quarter financial results with a follow-up earnings call last week.

Spirit posted a slight adjusted pretax loss, citing the impact of Hurricane Ian and higher fuel cost, but recognized a 35.4 percent increase in revenue from Q3 2019 and 13.5 percent capacity increase in the same period. Spirit continues to take on new aircraft and expects an additional 33 aircraft deliveries in 2023.

“Demand for air travel, especially leisure travel, continues to be strong. To keep up with demand and support the Company’s projected growth, management must act now and invest in its professional pilots who will ensure our airline’s success,” said Capt. Ryan Muller, chair of the Spirit unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA).

ALPA reports that it has long advocated for an amended collective bargaining agreement addressing the key improvements necessary to attract and retain professional U.S. pilots, and continues to urge the Company to address these items to facilitate future growth.

Earlier this month, Spirit Airlines shareholders approved JetBlue’s purchase of Spirit. The two carriers must, however, gain regulatory approval by the U.S. Department of Justice as well as negotiate a joint collective bargaining agreement with Spirit and JetBlue pilot representatives before the companies can operate as a single airline.

“We are currently in bargaining with Spirit management to secure the strong, market-based contract our pilots need for Spirit and/or the combined entity to become their career-destination carrier,” continued Muller. “A joint agreement could take some time, and Spirit cannot wait on the completion of that process to attract and retain qualified pilots.”

FMI: www.ALPA.org