Spirit Airlines to furlough 1,800 flight attendants

"The low-budget airline will temporarily lay off about 1,800 flight attendants from its total strength of approximately 5,200, effective December 1. Spirit filed for bankruptcy again last month after a previous reorganization failed to put it on firmer financial footing. The company forewarned job cuts in a memo sent to employees last Wednesday, adding that it also plans to slash flight capacity 25% year over year by November."

"The Association of Flight Attendants, in a separate memo also seen by Reuters, said: "The problem is that the significant reduction of aircraft and flight hours requires a much higher reduction in force, and the company is clear that a furlough is necessary." The airline, with more than 800 staff voluntarily absent now, has so far relied only on voluntary furloughs rather than imposing mandatory ones. It will continue offering voluntary furloughs, even as it moves forward with additional staffing reductions."

Spirit Airlines will temporarily furlough about 1,800 flight attendants, roughly one-third of its approximately 5,200-strong group, effective December 1. The carrier filed for bankruptcy last month after a prior reorganization failed to stabilize finances. Spirit plans to reduce flight capacity by 25% year over year by November and has more than 800 staff voluntarily absent. The airline has so far relied on voluntary furloughs and will continue to offer them for six-month to one-year periods beginning November 1, while moving forward with additional staffing reductions. The Association of Flight Attendants warned that aircraft and flight hour reductions require a larger reduction in force. United said it will not pursue Spirit's assets.

Read at Fast Company