Spirit Airlines has partnered with Jacksonville-based ATP Flight School, to launch the new Spirit Direct Program. The partnership will allow Spirit to expand their pipeline of highly-skilled professional pilots, including ATP’s over 2,000 students and flight instructors.
On Thursday (February 10, 2022), Spirit Airlines announced the launch of their new ‘Spirit Direct Program’ in partnership with Jacksonville-based ATP Flight School, America’s largest flight school. The partnership will expand Spirit’s pipeline of highly skilled professional pilots, including ATP’s over 2,000 qualified students and flight instructors, while providing graduates the fastest track to a successful career as a pilot for Spirit Airlines. ATP’s prestigious ‘Airline Career Pilot Program’ and Spirit Direct will immerse students in a two year training program, developing line-ready A320 Family pilots. The program starts with a seven months of training toward a student’s multi-engine commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates, along with an instrument rating. While students progress to ATP instructors, they continue to build flight experience, while working to advance to first officer at Spirit Airlines.
In Thursday’s announcment, Spirit Airlines’ Senior Director of Flight Operations and System Chief Pilot, Ryan Rodosta, said,
“ATP is well-known for developing top-notch airline pilots, making them the perfect match as we continue to grow and give our Guests more destinations to discover. Spirit has one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the industry, and we fly to world-class destinations across the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. Our fleet is growing fast and creating tremendous career-progression opportunities.”
Also commenting on the new partnership, ATP Flight School’s Director of Marketing, Michael Arnold, said,
"In just seven months, graduates of ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program earn their commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates, then through the Spirit Direct Program can advance straight to Spirit as Airbus first officers after 1,500 hours of flight time. We are incredibly proud to partner with Spirit in bringing ATP graduates the fastest track to become airline pilots and the opportunity to quickly establish a rewarding career.”
To learn more about the new Spirit Direct Program, please click here.
Miramar, Florida-based low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE) is committed to offering the best value in the sky with service to destinations in the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. The airline allows customers to select and pay for only the products and services they want, something they call “À La Smarte.” Spirit also operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the U.S. The carrier proudly calls their youthful fleet of aircraft their “Fit Fleet®.” Spirit Airlines will add 24 new fuel-efficient Airbus A320neos to their fleet in 2022.
Source: Spirit Airlines