Spirit has already axed flights and asked pilots to take a pay cut. Now it's furloughing 1,800 flight attendants.

"About 1,800 of Spirit's roughly 5,200 flight attendants will be affected, with involuntary furloughs set to take effect on December 1. "As part of our ongoing restructuring, we are taking steps to align staffing with our fleet size and expected flight volume," the airline said in a statement to Business Insider. "We recognize the impact of this decision on affected Team Members, and we are committed to treating them with care and respect during this process," it added."

"In September, COO John Bendoraitis told Spirit's 3,000 pilots that the airline must save $100 million a year from its collective bargaining agreement. Pilots earn between about $84,000 and $270,000, depending on seniority, and the company proposed daily talks with their union to hammer out concessions. If no deal is reached by October 1, Spirit had warned it could ask the bankruptcy court to change or reject the contract outright, under a section of Chapter 11 bankruptcy law."

"CEO Dave Davis told employees last week that Spirit would cut about 25% of its flight capacity year over year in November as it "optimizes our network to focus on our strongest markets." "Unfortunately, these are the tough calls we must make to emerge stronger," he said in the internal message. Spirit had already announced in July plans to furlough 270 pilots and demote 140 captains to first officers."

About 1,800 of roughly 5,200 flight attendants will be furloughed, with involuntary furloughs beginning December 1 and initial furloughs starting November 1. Staffing will be aligned with fleet size and expected flight volume, with a stated commitment to treat affected team members with care and respect. The company seeks $100 million a year in pilot concessions and has proposed daily talks with the pilots' union, warning that the bankruptcy court could be asked to change or reject the contract if no deal is reached. Flight capacity will be cut about 25% year over year in November to focus on strongest markets, following earlier pilot furlough and demotion plans.

Read at Business Insider