Spirit suspends new pilot training after tough quarter, engine issue

Spirit Airlines will suspend training for new pilots and flight attendants next month “until further notice,” according to company memos, as it plans for slower growth amid softer demand and the expected grounding of dozens of aircraft for inspections because of a manufacturing problem with some Airbus planes’ engines.

The company had already slowed hiring and captain upgrades, Greg Christopher, vice president of flight operations at Spirit, said Thursday in a memo to pilots, which was seen by CNBC. “With these recent developments, however, we will also be suspending all new-hire training efforts starting in November, until further notice.”

Spirit did not immediately respond to CNBC’s requests for comment.

“This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly, but it’s necessary to ensure our FlightOps team matches our operational need given the number of aircraft we can fly,” Christopher wrote.

The company told flight attendants that it will halt new flight attendant training starting Nov. 7 for the foreseeable future. It is also planning to offer voluntary time off for cabin crew members, according to a separate memo from Tina Milton, vice president of inflight experience.

The Miramar, Florida-based discount carrier said it expects to have to ground an average of 26 Airbus A320neo aircraft for inspections of engines made by RTX unit Pratt & Whitney after that company disclosed a manufacturing defect in August. The carrier said it expects 13 grounded planes in January, rising to 41 in December of next year. The airline had a fleet of 202 Airbus planes as of Sept. 30, according to a filing.

“This expectation drives a dramatic decrease in the Company’s near-term growth projections,” Spirit said in a filing. It said it expects capacity to be flat to up mid-single digits next year compared with 2023. The airline is in talks with RTX about…