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Spirit Airlines Update on ALPA Negotiations: Pilots Turn Down 30% Increase over Five Years And A $3,000 Signing Bonus Per Pilot At An Increased Cost of Over $70M USD

Spirit offered over 30 percent pay increases totaling $70 million over five years, net of productivity improvements. At the same time, the pilots would have retained a four-day off break between each and every trip, a feature not found in any other ALPA contract.

In addition, under the offer each pilot would have received a $3,000 signing bonus. The pilots would also receive an eight percent 401-K match in years one through three with an increase to nine percent in year four, while all other Spirit employees only receive a three percent match.

"We are frustrated and disappointed that our pilots have turned down an over 30 percent increase at a cost of over $70 million over five years while disrupting thousands of our customers and jeopardizing the livelihoods of our over 2,000 employees," said Spirit Airlines President and CEO Ben Baldanza.

As a result of the pilots' decision to strike, Spirit Airlines flights are cancelled for Saturday, June 12, 2010.

For those customers whose flights are cancelled, Spirit is processing a credit for the full amount of the flight, as well as providing a $100 future flight credit.

Customers who made their reservation prior to May 11, 2010 directly with Spirit and purchased travel insurance should call Travel Guard at 866-877-3191 if their flight has been cancelled.

About Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines (www.spiritair.com) is the largest Ultra Low Cost Carrier (ULCC) in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. As the unbundling leader in the industry, Spirit allows consumers the option of paying only for the features they value without subsidizing the choices of others. Its all-Airbus fleet, the youngest in the U.S., flies more than 150 daily flights to 40 destinations. The company is based in South Florida.

Spirit Airlines
Media Contacts:
Misty Pinson, 954-918-9432 (North America)
misty.pinson@spiritair.com
or
Manuel Jaquez, (954) 628-4898 (Latin America & Caribbean)
manuel.jaquez@spiritair.com