Pilots get raise after Allegiant posts nearly 90 percent income hike

VIENNA

Allegiant Air, the only commercial airline at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, said today it will give its pilots a raise because of the company’s success.

The Las Vegas-based company halted a strike by pilots earlier this month, obtaining a court-ordered temporary restraining order.

The pilots, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1224, have issues with the reduction in benefits for pilots as the company enjoys growth in profits, and deterioration of a scheduling system.

The airline reported operating income Wednesday of $108.1 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared with $57.3 million in the first quarter of 2014 — an 88.7 percent increase. Net income was $64.9 million in the first quarter of this year compared with $34.2 million in the first quarter 2014 — an 89.8 percent increase.

Earnings per share were $3.74 for the first quarter compared with $1.86 in the same quarter 2014.

“I’m also pleased to announce our pilots will be receiving a pay increase as a result of our continued success,” said Maurice J. Gallagher Jr., chairman and CEO of Allegiant. “As part of our pilots’ variable pay band structure, pilot pay scales will increase between 5 and 7 percent per hour effective May 1.”

Cameron Graff, first officer at Allegiant Air and the union’s executive council chairman, said the pay raise announced for May 1 is a part of Allegiant’s existing agreement with the pilots.

“Unfortunately, it does not reflect any movement on restoring the status quo regarding scheduling or other issues that pilots have been raising,” Graff said.

Read more of the story in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.