@nbc @NBCNews Riot breaks out at #FLL over @SpiritAirlines #cancelled flights. People are angry, some arrested. #worstcustomerservice pic.twitter.com/y1VaH7Lb9w
— José L. Rodríguez (@asg749d) May 9, 2017
Spirit Airlines is blaming a pilots’ union dispute for the rash of canceled flights, at least nine of which led to several fights breaking out at a Florida airport.
Travelers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport became so infuriated that three fights erupted and had to be quelled by local police, leading to three people’s arrest according to NBC Miami. Twitter users documented the fray, as CNN reported the airline had canceled 300 flights in the past week.
https://twitter.com/brionkahalbert/status/861800023570436097
In a statement to the press, Spirit spokesman Paul Berry said the airline, known for its cheap airfares, was “shocked and saddened” by the incident. The company filed a federal lawsuit against its pilots’ union, Air Line Pilots Association International, which they say has caused “illegal work slowdown,” according to USA Today.
ALPA denies that claim in a statement to CNN: “Rather, ALPA and the Spirit pilots are continuing to do everything possible to help restore the company’s operations, which have experienced significant problems over the past several days.”
