Allegiant Airlines Abandons Austin Crew Base, Leaving Workers in Limbo

by Beck Andrew Salgado

Austin, Texas – Allegiant Airlines, the budget carrier with a strong presence in the Southeast, has delivered a devastating blow to its Austin-based crew. In a callous announcement this week, the airline revealed its plan to eliminate the crew base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in early 2024 due to the impending closure of the South Terminal. This heartless decision comes as the airport experiences record-breaking growth, thanks to the city's growing popularity among young professionals and travelers.

"It's outrageous! They're taking away jobs and disrupting lives, all while claiming they're not ceasing operations. Allegiant owes its dedicated employees more than this vague assurance. We demand answers and a fair plan for those affected by their profit-driven scheme!"

• A furious Allegiant employee, who wishes to remain anonymous.

Despite its claims of continued operations, Allegiant has offered no specifics on how this change will impact its employees or local operations. The airline coldly implies minimal disruption, intending to serve Austin from other bases, hinting at increased layovers for exhausted crew members.

Austin-Bergstrom Breaks Records, But at What Cost?

As Allegiant turns its back on the very crew that helped it succeed in Austin, the city's airport boasts record-high traffic in 2023. With over 22 million travelers passing through, Austin-Bergstrom witnessed its busiest year yet. However, this success has a dark underside, exposing the airport's shortcomings and overburdened infrastructure.

Southwest Airlines, the Texas hometown hero, dominated with 8.5 million passengers, followed by American Airlines with 5.2 million, and Delta Air Lines with 2.7 million. Allegiant, despite its impending retreat, flew 377,091 passengers in 2023, outperforming JetBlue and British Airways.

The Fight for Fairness and Expansion

The ironically-timed expansion plans for Austin-Bergstrom, including a new concourse with 20 gates by 2030, offer little solace to affected Allegiant employees. The Austin City Council's recent unanimous vote to enhance airport capacity by addressing utility shortcomings is a step forward, but more decisive action is needed to support those impacted by corporate greed.

Allegiant must be held accountable for its blatant disregard for its workforce, and we stand with the employees demanding justice and a fair transition plan. The fight for progress must include the protection of those who contribute to the city's success.

Beck Andrew Salgado covers the fraught business landscape of Austin, exposing the dark underbelly of corporate decisions. To join the fight for equitable progress, reach out via email: Bsalgado@gannett.com.