Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE) announced the addition of new Pilot and Flight Attendant bases at Miami International Airport (MIA) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for a total of nine crew bases across the network as the airline continues to add new planes and new airports. The crew bases are projected to initially open this summer once advance preparations are finalized. Spirit expects to locate more than 100 Pilots and more than 200 Flight Attendants at each base initially, with additional crew, supervisors and support functions to follow later in the year.
Crew Bases, also known as Home Bases, are the various airport stations where commercial Pilots and Flight Attendants normally begin and end their duty periods. The new bases will complement Spirit’s existing crew bases in Atlantic City (ACY), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Las Vegas (LAS) and Orlando (MCO).
Spirit’s presence at MIA started in October 2021 with service to nine destinations and grew to a total of 30 nonstop domestic and international routes in January 2022. Spirit’s big entrance at MIA made it the second largest carrier at the airport. At ATL, Spirit currently ranks as the third largest carrier for number of Guests flown and operates nonstop flights to 19 destinations.
«We’re always evaluating our network to find opportunities to improve our operational performance as our flight options continue to expand, and these new crew bases are reasons to celebrate because our Guests, Team Members and communities all win,» said John Bendoraitis, Spirit Airline’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. «We’re adding jobs and increasing staffing at stations with a high concentration of flight activity; we will have better access to large metropolitan centers for talent recruitment; and Spirit Team Members gain attractive new home base options and additional commuting opportunities.»
«We proudly welcome this significant expansion of jobs by Spirit Airlines at MIA,» said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. «As MIA’s second-busiest passenger airline, Spirit is a big reason why Miami-Dade County is once again welcoming record numbers of visitors to our community, and we look forward to seeing its presence continue to grow at our County’s largest economic engine.»
«Job creation and economic growth are among the top priorities at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,» said ATL general manager Balram «B» Bheodari. «Spirit’s decision to expand in Atlanta is wonderful news for the City, the airline, and the Airport.»
