Spirit Airlines pilots have ratified a two-year contract with management that will produce $463 million in economic gains including an average 34% pay hike, the Air Line Pilots Association said Tuesday.
The agreement affects 2,326 pilots, according to the union, which said that 69% of the Spirit members voted in favor of the pact that is retroactive to Jan. 1. The two sides said they reached a tentative contract last month.
Spirit, which is based in Miramar and maintains the largest airline presence at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, said in a statement that the contract “will provide a significant pay increase and other enhanced benefits for Spirit’s pilots.”
It did not mention any figures.
“We appreciate the dedication of the ALPA negotiating committee, Master Executive Council (MEC) and the Spirit Airlines megotiating team for their hard work to reach this agreement,” said John Bendoraitis, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Spirit. “We truly value our incredible pilots, and we’re proud to recognize their contributions, passion and professionalism as they keep us flying every day.”
The airline is destined to be acquired by JetBlue Airways of New York, and the pilots’ deal would be in force for as long as Spirit remains an independent carrier. The $3.8 billion takeover agreement entered into last year will not go into effect until the companies receive federal regulatory approval.
“This [agreement] not only offers the financial gains our pilots need today, but also creates a stronger bargaining position for Spirit Airlines pilots at our next step, either in the merger process with JetBlue or in comprehensive negotiations with Spirit Airlines as a stand-alone carrier,” said Capt. Ryan Muller, chairman of the Spirit’s master executive council of ALPA.
The union said that If the JetBlue–Spirit merger fails to gain regulatory approval “or is otherwise abandoned,” the Spirit pilots “will immediately reenter” talks with management about another contract.
Pilots at airlines around the industry have demanded sizable pay raises and better working conditions after flying through a COVID-19 pandemic that they say took its toll on their health and economic well-being.
Pilot groups at several airlines, including members of the Allied Pilots Association at American Airlines, demanded better financial agreements as carriers struggled to rebuild operations that were drastically reduced during the pandemic.
ALPA represents more than 67,000 pilots at 40 airlines in the U.S. and Canada.
