"Money In Their Pocket": Spirit Airlines Pilots Hired To Fly Their Own Jets To The Boneyard
Simple Flying • • general
Key Points:
- Former Spirit Airlines pilots are assisting Nomadic Aviation in relocating Spirit's grounded aircraft to desert storage sites following the airline's abrupt shutdown due to financial struggles.
- Nomadic Aviation, specializing in ferrying aircraft for leasing companies, employs former Spirit pilots to both facilitate the relocation process and provide these pilots with income and a sense of closure during difficult times.
- The aircraft are being moved from major airports to storage locations such as Goodyear Airport and Pinal Airpark in Arizona to avoid high parking fees and prepare for asset selloff amid strong demand in the second-hand aircraft market.
- Spirit Airlines ceased operations in early May after 34 years, leaving about 17,000 employees jobless and stranding 91 aircraft at 26 U.S. airports; other carriers have since increased service to accommodate displaced passengers.
- The process of ferrying Spirit's planes to storage is ongoing, with at least six aircraft moved recently, and Nomadic Aviation is also offering job opportunities to pilots through its AI-based networking platform, Kittyhawk.
