The impact of Spirit Airlines’ campaign to streamline itself to profitability is extending more deeply into the ranks of the troubled carrier as management has informed employees that up to 365 more pilots may be furloughed in early 2026 along with non-union support workers at corporate headquarters in Dania Beach and elsewhere.
The news was delivered to employees Wednesday in a note from John Bendoraitis, the chief operating officer. The company affirmed the moves in a statement issued Friday.
“As part of our ongoing restructuring, we are taking additional steps to align staffing across our organization with our previously announced capacity reduction and smaller operating fleet size,” Spirit said in the statement.
“Over the past several weeks, we’ve made a number of difficult decisions reflecting the previously announced 25% capacity reduction and smaller operating fleet,” Bendoraitis told employees in the note bearing his letterhead. “The effects of that reality are being felt across our teams.”
Another 365 pilots face furloughs in the first quarter of next year, he said, with up to 170 “captain-to-first officer” downgrades occurring during the same period. Those numbers could decline, however, “with voluntary attrition.” The final outcome will be known in November. The airline previously furloughed about 330 pilots and is seeking a reported $100 million in cost reductions from the pilots’ contract.
A company spokesman said Friday that talks with the pilots “have been productive and are ongoing. We are continuing discussions and remain committed to working with ALPA to reach a consensual agreement that positions Spirit and our pilots for success.”
The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents roughly 2,400 Spirit pilots, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Spirit Airlines planes are shown at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which during the airline’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case has retained the airport’s biggest market share. That may soon change as the airline shrinks its fleet and employee rosters. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Repair bases closing, non-union workers impacted
An unspecified number of non-union support employees, including those working at “Spirit Central” in Dania Beach and at other locations, also face furloughs, Bendoraitis said. The cuts will start next month “to align with the size and structure of the airline we’ll operate moving forward.”
At the first of the year, maintenance stations and warehouse operations will be closed at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. In addition, “volume-based staffing adjustments” will be made across “tech-ops” stations.
Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Aug. 29 for the second time in less than a year, saying it did so to address various financial and other issues that went untended during an earlier round of court-assisted restructuring between last November and March of this year.
The airline has since revamped its route system and made arrangements to cut its fleet by nearly half, moves resulting in the furloughs of several hundred pilots and 1,800 flight attendants. It has also arranged for $475 million in debtor-in-possession financing with the help of major creditors, while entering into a sweeping overhaul of aircraft leasing arrangements with AerCap Ireland Ltd., its biggest lessor.
Profit by 2027?
In a regulatory filing earlier this week, Spirit forecast a net profit of $219 million by 2027, its first in eight years. The forecast calls for even higher earnings in 2028 and 2029. Management estimated losses will be $804 million for this year and $145 million for next year.
The filing also listed various assets such as planes, airport gates and real estate that have been converted to cash or are being contemplated for sale. The corporate headquarters in Dania Beach is among those mentioned for potential liquidation, bringing a possible $200 million to $250 million.
Wage and benefit costs are among the biggest targets in the airline’s campaign for savings, the gravity of which is not lost on the executives doing the cutting.
“We value the contributions of all our impacted Team Members and remain committed to treating everyone with care and respect,” Bendoraitis said.
“Even as we take these steps, we still have an airline to run that depends on every one of us bringing our best to the job,” he added. “Your attention to safety, professionalism and commitment to each other are what keep our operation moving and our Guests coming back. Thank you for continuing to show up and deliver, even when it isn’t easy.”