As part of its strategy to emerge from bankruptcy, the low-cost airline Spirit has announced on Thursday that it has eliminated 200 positions from its workforce. This occurs as a result of the removal of 330 pilot positions from the company’s workforce.
According to a report, the Florida-based airline filed for bankruptcy in November as part of a yearly cost reduction strategy that budgets $80 million and targets administrative and training personnel. The airline has stated that it intends to streamline these sectors of employment.
Within a letter that was distributed to Spirit’s workforce on Wednesday evening, Ted Christie, the president and CEO of Spirit, referred to the job losses as “a necessary step” in the process of going forward.
“The bottom line is, we need to run a smaller airline and get back on better financial footing,” he stated.
According to the letter at their disposal, Christie mentioned that the actions taken to save costs would result in a reduction in the number of flights that Spirit operates. Fort Lauderdale and Miami International Airports are the destinations of ninety flights that are currently operated by the airline.
As part of its efforts to restore its financial footing, the business has already let go of 330 pilot positions and extended the amount of time off that flight attendants are allowed to take on their own volition.
In addition, Spirit has disclosed that it intends to shut down three of its repair centers during the first quarter of the year 2025, according to officials. During the summer, it also reduced its flight schedule and sold some of its aircraft.
As a result of all of those steps, as well as the cutbacks that were made to our personnel this week, we have now reached the target of $80 million,” Christie noted in the letter that was sent to the employees.
In light of the pilot furloughs, extended flight attendant vacancies, and the recently announced layoffs, the airline has stated that Spirit continues to take reservations and operate flights. However, the company has not provided any information regarding how passengers may be affected in the future.
According to the company, a person can use tickets that they have previously purchased.
“Spirit expects to continue operating its business in the normal course throughout this prearranged, streamlined Chapter 11 process,” Christie continued.
A bright yellow airplane with the word “Spirit” emblazoned over the tail of the aircraft is one of the most recognizable characteristics of the airline.
