Until Uncle Sam Promises More COVID Dollars, The Airline Industry Remains In Severe Flux

Spirit Airlines pilots have reached an agreement with management to save hundreds of the airline’s pilots from furlough. Nearly half of the more than 2,500 Spirit pilots have agreed to temporarily work fewer hours each month to prevent 600 pilots from being furloughed beginning October 1.

“At a time where airlines struggle to keep pace with the ever-changing demand for air travel and airline crews struggle to keep themselves and their families healthy, Spirit Airlines pilots and management worked together to reach an agreement that mitigates the remaining furloughs planned for October 2020. Effective immediately, the 600 planned furloughs have been canceled,” said Capt. Scott Vallach, chairman of ALPA’s Spirit Airlines Master Executive Council.

More than 11,000 airline pilots in the United States have already received notices of potential furlough. Currently, dozens of other pilot groups are exploring various furlough mitigation plans to preserve as many jobs as possible until the industry recovers.

“I’m extremely proud of the willingness of our pilots to help each other and ensure that no Spirit pilot goes without a paycheck. I also want to thank Spirit management for partnering with us to sit down and find a path that helps our airline survive while keeping all of our pilots employed,” Vallach added.

FMI: www.spirit.com