Pilots express 'no confidence' in Florida-based Spirit Airlines
DENISE KALETTE
Associated Press
MIAMI - Pilots for Spirit Airlines have expressed "no confidence" in the management of the company, one of the few profitable U.S.-based airlines.
Capt. Vince Heist, chairman of an executive council representing Spirit Airlines pilots, who are members of the national Air Line Pilots Association, says the no-confidence vote reflects "total exasperation and frustration" with the airline's failure to abide by a collective bargaining agreement.
More than two years ago, the pilots group signed a concessionary contract to allow the airline to grow, but alleged contract violations by management had led to "an abundance of grievances" and labor unrest, Heist said in a Friday statement issued by the union.
The pilots say the airline is inadequately staffed, and many pilots are forced to fly on their days off while others are on furlough.
The pilots said they intend to pursue "all lawful measures" on behalf of crew members.
Heist said Spirit was the largest privately held airline in the country and is also one of the few profitable ones, recently receiving $100 million in new financing.
A spokeswoman for Spirit, reached late Friday while on vacation, declined to comment. There was no response at airline headquarters at Fort Lauderdale.
The 15-year-old Spirit Airlines employs about 400 pilots and operates 33 aircraft. It has about 120 flights a day to 21 cities in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean, and will carry an estimated 5 million passengers this year.
Recently, the airline has been continuing its expansion to destinations in the Caribbean.
DENISE KALETTE
Associated Press
MIAMI - Pilots for Spirit Airlines have expressed "no confidence" in the management of the company, one of the few profitable U.S.-based airlines.
Capt. Vince Heist, chairman of an executive council representing Spirit Airlines pilots, who are members of the national Air Line Pilots Association, says the no-confidence vote reflects "total exasperation and frustration" with the airline's failure to abide by a collective bargaining agreement.
More than two years ago, the pilots group signed a concessionary contract to allow the airline to grow, but alleged contract violations by management had led to "an abundance of grievances" and labor unrest, Heist said in a Friday statement issued by the union.
The pilots say the airline is inadequately staffed, and many pilots are forced to fly on their days off while others are on furlough.
The pilots said they intend to pursue "all lawful measures" on behalf of crew members.
Heist said Spirit was the largest privately held airline in the country and is also one of the few profitable ones, recently receiving $100 million in new financing.
A spokeswoman for Spirit, reached late Friday while on vacation, declined to comment. There was no response at airline headquarters at Fort Lauderdale.
The 15-year-old Spirit Airlines employs about 400 pilots and operates 33 aircraft. It has about 120 flights a day to 21 cities in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean, and will carry an estimated 5 million passengers this year.
Recently, the airline has been continuing its expansion to destinations in the Caribbean.
