Spirit Airlines and its pilots, both represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), recently ratified a new five-year agreement.
The ratification comes after three years of contract negotiations.
Under the agreement, pilots’ retirement plans will receive double-digit direct contributions, $75 million is provided in ratification compensation, and pay rates increase an average of 43 percent from the date of signing.
“We are very pleased to reach this important agreement with our pilots,” Robert Fornaro, Spirit’s chief executive officer, said. “Our new contract will give our pilots a deserved increase in pay and benefits, and will allow the airline to operate more efficiently and reliably so we can even better serve our guests. I want to thank our mediators from the National Mediation Board and our negotiators from ALPA and Spirit.”
Last summer, many unionized pilots refused to take overtime. This caused the cancellation of 850 flights and the airline to lose $45 million.
Spirit filed a lawsuit, and a federal judge ordered the pilots back to work.
ALPA represents more than 1,800 Spirit pilots.
Spirit Airlines, meanwhile, is offering more flights beginning in May. The airline will offer a nonstop flight between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) with nonstop service to St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport.