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Spirit Airlines is reportedly bringing back all furloughed pilots as it appears to have emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to a memo obtained and reviewed by CNBC.
Spirit furloughed hundreds of pilots in 2024 and 2025 in an effort to save millions and match plans for a smaller operation, which led to many pilots accepting other jobs and the airline being short on staffing.
“Pilot attrition has been higher than forecast, making precise alignment between staffing and the reduced schedule more challenging,” Spirit told employees in the memo sent out last week. “While these recalls won’t arrive in time to support the spring break—Easter period, they strengthen the foundation of our post-bankruptcy future.”
Spirit confirmed that it sent notices to about 500 pilots who were furloughed between September 1, 2024, and November 1, 2025, to return to their jobs as “we continue to make adjustments to meet the evolving needs of our business.” The airline had previously announced it would recall furloughed flight attendants in February.
Spirit announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for a second time in a year last August and would consider all options for its future, but later confirmed that it secured an additional $100 million in emergency financing in a news release shared in December. Spirit Aviations Holdings, Inc., the airline's parent company, confirmed that the amendment will provide "for the previously agreed third funding round of an incremental $100 million to be fulfilled today," with $50 million accessible immediately, while the remaining amount "is subject to previously agreed conditions that relate to further progress on a standalone plan of reorganization or a strategic transaction."
"We are grateful to our lenders for continuing to support Spirit's transformation, recognizing all the significant progress our team has made in recent months," said Dave Davis, Spirit's President and Chief Executive Officer, in the news release. "We continue to provide high-value travel options, which benefit American consumers whether they fly with us or not, and look forward to welcoming our Guests aboard throughout this holiday season and into the future."