Spirit Airlines has sent notices to around 500 pilots who were involuntarily furloughed between September 2024 and November 2025 as the airline looks to exit Chapter 11 proceedings.
The recall is a result of higher-than-expected attrition, with pilots leaving the airline for other employment opportunities, according to CNBC, citing a memo to employees.
Spirit pilots' representatives, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), elected its leadership team following the announcement, re-electing Ryan Muller for his third term, Doug Erickson as vice chair and Andrew Scheffer as secretary-treasurer.
“With more than 500 furloughed colleagues beginning the journey back to the line, we are taking an important step toward restoring the strength of our seniority list,” said Muller.
Following Spirit reaching an agreement on key terms of a restructuring support agreement with its existing debtor-in-possession (DIP) lenders and secured noteholders, the airline said it aims to emerge from its bankruptcy proceedings in late spring or early summer.
The airline filed for bankruptcy in August last year — only months after emerging from bankruptcy protection in March.