MIAMI, June 13 (UPI) -- Spirit Airlines, faced with the second day of a pilots' strike, canceled all departures Sunday, the U.S. airline said.
The Miami-area-headquartered airline said in a release it had offered pilots 30 percent pay increases totaling $70 million over five years, and the retention of a four-day off break between each trip, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. The airline said it was disappointed the offer was turned down.
The union said the ball was in the airline's court.
Sunday's cancellations forced thousands of passengers to pay for new flights themselves, at least for now, the report said, taking vacationers by surprise. Spirit is offering a full refund or a credit for the cost of the canceled flight, plus a $100 future flight credit, the newspaper said.
The newspaper said Spirit does not have agreements with other carriers that would easily let those airlines accept Spirit tickets.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said Spirit earned $108 million in 2009, with the highest profit margin of any U.S. airline. The pilots can draw on a strike fund if the walkout lasts longer than 35 days, the newspaper said.
