Flight Cancellations Continue for Spirit Airlines Following Monday Fight

Flight cancellations are continuing on Spirit Airlines following Monday’s incident in which a fight broke out at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport.

The South Florida Business Journal reports that seven flights from Fort Lauderdale were canceled on Tuesday, which spokesperson Paul Berry called a higher number than normal without a weather, air traffic control or security issue. The budget carrier said that it is waiting to see if pilots will obey a court order to stop an alleged work slowdown.

According to Myrtle Beach Online, at least two Spirit flights were canceled at Myrtle Beach International Airport on Wednesday, the 3:41 p.m. flight from Niagara Falls, New York, as well as the 5:10 p.m. flight to Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Several other flights were delayed.

Hundreds of Spirit Airlines flights have been canceled over the past week, sparking an incident Monday in which travelers taken off a canceled flight in Fort Lauderdale approached a ticket counter where dozens of other passengers were waiting in line. A fight broke out, leading to several arrests.

Spirit Airlines filed a lawsuit Monday night alleging that its pilots are engaged in an illegal work slowdown over flying assignments, and that some pilots are refusing to take certain assignments, as well as posting online “in a campaign to threaten and intimidate other pilots.” The union representing the pilots denied that its pilots were engaged in a slowdown, and said that it was pushing back against the airline, which is making record profits.

Late Tuesday District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas ordered the pilots to stop boycotting flights, saying that Spirit would likely win its lawsuit.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the airline has issued an apology to its customers, saying that it is “shocked and saddened” by the Monday incident.