SPIRIT AIRLINES TO LAY OFF 1,800 FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AS PART OF BANKRUPTCY COST-CUTTING PLAN. (PHOTO).

 Spirit Airlines to lay off 1,800 flight attendants as part of bankruptcy cost-cutting plan

Spirit Airlines plans to furlough about 1,800 flight attendants, roughly a third of its cabin crew, as part of efforts to cut costs during its second bankruptcy in under a year.

John Bendoraitis, Spirit’s chief operating officer, told flight attendants in a memo Monday that the airline faces “difficult decisions” regarding its network, fleet, and workforce as it works to return to profitability. The airline has already seen around 800 attendants take voluntary leave, which has temporarily reduced the need for involuntary furloughs.

The company will first offer voluntary furloughs, allowing attendants to take six- or 12-month leaves while keeping medical benefits. The final number affected remains unclear. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA said it is coordinating with other airlines to help affected crew members secure interviews, and involuntary furloughs are scheduled to begin Dec. 1.

Spirit has also furloughed hundreds of pilots and is seeking $100 million in cost reductions from its aviators. Management has told the pilots’ union it is open to daily negotiations to reach an agreement by Oct. 1, though the bankruptcy process could allow the airline to bypass certain contract provisions.