Nearly 1,000 employees laid off in Las Vegas following Spirit Airlines' end

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — With Spirit Airlines' announcement of permanent closure this weekend, employees are feeling the strain of mass layoffs.

Here's how locals are reacting to the shutdown:

Nearly 1,000 employees laid off in Las Vegas following Spirit Airlines' end

In a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act published to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation's (DETR) website, Channel 13 found that the airline issued the permanent layoff of 999 employees, including 779 flight attendants, 90 first officers, 59 captains, and more at Harry Reid International Airport.

Spirit Airlines shared in the letter that they "regret that [they] were not able to give [employees] more notice of [their] layoff," stating that an attempt to "[seek] capital to avoid these layoffs would have precluded [Spirit Airlines] from obtaining the capital needed."

Local News Spirit Airlines shuts down: What to know about the impact at Las Vegas airport Alyssa Roberts

Spirit Airlines said they were also faced with "sustained deterioration in business conditions," which included rising fuel costs from "geopolitical events of the last few weeks."

Eventually, Spirit Airlines made the decision to close after the United States Government and their lenders did not provide additional operations funding.

In a second email received by Channel 13, president and CEO of Spirit Airlines, Dave Davis, shared additional information with employees.

"This is not the outcome any of us planned for; I wish I were coming to you today with different news. I know I speak for all of us when I say I’m proud this airline has brought friends and families closer together for 34 years. I am deeply grateful to the thousands of Team Members who made our mission possible, pioneering affordable travel for millions of people across the United States." — Dave Davis, president and CEO of Spirit Airlines

Davis echoed the company's struggle to combat rising fuel prices, and said that a "small operational team [would] stay on for a brief period to support the wind-down process."

For employees currently out on a trip or training event away from their base, Davis said that the company would "work with [them] to book travel home on another airline."

Employees were encouraged not to wear their Spirit Airlines uniforms during their travels "for [their] safety and privacy," Davis said in the letter.

According to Davis, Spirit Airlines employees' emails would be deactivated on May 2, which he called the "last day" for most team members.

We reached out to a number of unions representing the now former employees of Spirit Airlines.

The Air Line Pilots Association sent the following statement:

“This is devastating news for Spirit pilots and all Spirit employees. We have been through a relentlessly stressful two years through a failed merger, multiple furloughs, two bankruptcies, and concessionary bargaining. We held up our end and did everything we possibly could. This is not a reflection of our pilot group's effort, professionalism, or commitment. ALPA is fully supporting our pilots, and as we move forward, we will be working closely with our industry partners on soft landing opportunities for Spirit pilots. Right now, our focus is on getting everyone home.” Capt. Ryan Muller, chairman of the Spirit Airlines Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association

The Association of Flight Attendants sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling laying out their demands to protect Spirit workers, which you can read below:

Support for Spirit Workers by yolanda.cruz

For Las Vegas travelers, the harsh reality of the shutdown is settling in.

Data from Harry Reid International Airport shows Spirit Airlines has the second-most flights in and out of Las Vegas.

“Well, it’s really kind of sad. They offered flights that a lot of people could afford that probably can’t fly on a lot of airlines," said Las Vegas traveler Kenon Qamar.

“It’s just not what we need; it’s the opposite of what we need," said local Shelly O'Connor. "Hopefully, somebody good will come in and take over with a new airline. That would be great."

We reached out to other airlines to see what, if anything, they're doing to support Spirit workers and travelers during this time.

So far, Las Vegas-based Allegiant Airlines told us they're offering more of their rewards to those who reschedule canceled Spirit flights with them.

Are you feeling the effects of Spirit Airlines' closure? Contact us at ktnv.com/letstalk, or by clicking on the banner below.