The Sky is the Limit For Spirit Airline Pilots In Search of Opportunities with Other Carriers
An image reflected, a Spirit Airlines flight lifting off from Las Vegas International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., captured on February 8, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Mike Blake
Apprehension washes over pilots at Spirit Airlines (SAVE) as they explore alternative career paths. A U.S. judge’s recent decision to block the budget airline’s proposed merger with rival JetBlue Airways (JBLU) has cast a shadow of uncertainty on Spirit’s future. According to Spirit pilots, recruiters and industry insiders, the ruling prompted a spike in job applications elsewhere. Spirit Airlines’ CFO, Scott Haralson, stated the company is considering “right-sizing” its labor costs, heightening concerns.
A spokesperson for Spirit commented that attrition rates remain normal, and pilot resignations for 2024 are tracking below predictions. “We stand by Spirit’s future and we are devoted to our team members’ welfare,” said the spokesperson.
However, the ultra-budget airline has been grappling to maintain profitable sustainability due to weaker demand in primary markets and the grounding of many of its fleet due to issues with RTX’s (RTX) Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engines.
Analysts waver in their confidence of Spirit’s survival if the $3.8 billion merger deal remains obstructed. Some even speculate bankruptcy could be on the horizon if the company fails to stabilize its finances; a possibility that saw S&P Global, Moody’s and Fitch downgrade the airline’s credit rating post-ruling, citing increased default and refinancing risks.
One Spirit pilot, harboring over five years’ experience, who has sent job applications to Delta Air Lines (DAL), United (UAL) and American Airlines (AAL) expressed, “It’s very stressful.” Another pilot corroborates that conversation around seeking different opportunities is prevalent.
The failure of the merger has spurred an increase in applications from Spirit pilots to United, said industry sources. United, planning to recruit 2,000 pilots in 2024, claims to have “a strong applicant pool.”
The pilot job market has decelerated following a two-year surge, with hiring declining for five consecutive months. Major airline carriers appear to have fulfilled their staffing requirements, with hiring down 18% from a year prior.
The precarious situation at Spirit has prompted pilots to consider moving to larger carriers like United, Delta or American Airlines. “Normally, pilots don’t change companies unless faced with real hardship,” says Kit Darby, a U.S. aviation consultant.
Any significant departure of pilots could impact Spirit’s operations negatively, though it could also curtail costs. The airline had approximately 3,500 pilots by the end of 2023.
Spirit recently dismissed speculation over its future as a “misguided narrative.” The company claims to have increased its liquidity to endure even if the merger doesn’t go through.
The Florida-based airline has trimmed its capacity growth plans. Last year, Spirit decelerated pilot hiring and promotions, suspended training for new pilots and flight attendants, and offered voluntary leave to cabin crew members.
Last week, Spirit indicated it was formulating solutions for its labor costs due to “excessive staffing” overall. However, pilots are left with lingering questions about how the company will navigate this predicament.
