Allegiant Announces Vote to Ratify Pilot Contract with International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Allegiant announced that pilots represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) have voted to ratify their first contract agreement with the Company. Allegiant and IBT have been negotiating in mediated sessions with the National Mediation Board since February 2014.
“Having the first contract agreement with our pilots is an important milestone, and opens a new chapter for Allegiant,” said Maury Gallagher, chairman and chief executive officer. “It is a good deal for our pilots while supporting our unique business model and ensuring a bright future working together on behalf of our customers.”
“This contract represents years of hard work at the negotiation table, and we would like to thank IBT, the National Mediation board and all who have been involved,” said Jude Bricker, chief operating officer. “Their efforts have brought us to an agreement that improves the lives of pilots, makes Allegiant highly competitive across the industry for wages and benefits and puts us in a strong position to move forward together.”
The contract goes into effect August 1, 2016 for a five-year term.
Allegiant Announces Purchase of Twelve New Airbus A320ceo Aircraft
Allegiant announced an agreement to purchase twelve new, current engine option (ceo) Airbus A320 aircraft. This first-time new aircraft purchase by the company is another step towards Allegiant’s planned transition to an all Airbus fleet by 2019.
“The fact that these planes are new is notable, but should not be seen as a change in our fundamental strategy,” said Maury Gallagher, Allegiant chairman and chief executive officer. “We have always looked at building our fleet opportunistically, and this agreement is no exception. With Airbus preparing to transition production of its current engine option models to new engine option models, we were able to negotiate an order for twelve end-of-line slots.”
Allegiant has selected the CFM engine type for the aircraft in this agreement. The aircraft are expected to enter service between 2017 and 2018. This transaction brings Allegiant a total of 77 Airbus aircraft either in service or committed for future delivery.
“This purchase agreement is an important step in transitioning to a single fleet type,” said Jude Bricker, Allegiant chief operating officer. “Streamlining our fleet will increase efficiencies across our entire operation and bring economic advantages in fuel savings and a higher number of seats — allowing us to continue offering the industry’s most affordable fares, while increasing reliability.”
By the end of 2016, the company’s in service Airbus fleet will number 33, consisting of 16 A320s and 17 A319s. At the end of this year, Allegiant will have a total of 85 aircraft in revenue service.
“We love it when we hear the Allegiant team say that ‘Airbus is our future,’ because that demonstrates they are hitting their bottom-line goals while also satisfying their passengers, and they know it’s because of the Airbus A320 family,” said John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer — customers. “When an airline grows its A320 fleet, it’s making a sound investment in its financial future.”
