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of Allegiant Air pilot, Milan currently causing disruption airlineEfforts to secure permanent residency for dozens of foreign pilots from Chile, Australia and Singapore are underway, leaving their immigration status and company staff in limbo.
The union has refused to certify to the US Department of Labor that pilot The positions, which start at about $50,000 a year — about half what pilots earn at other regional airlines — meet “prevailing salary” standards. This certification is a key bureaucratic step required for pilots’ green card applications.
Instead of recruiting pilots from overseas, Teamsters Local 2118 has urged Allegiant to offer industry-standard compensation and improve scheduling to retain its existing pilots, many of whom are departing for rival carriers.
The union alleges that the airline misrepresented its intentions to permanently hire these pilots and argues that there is no longer a shortage of pilots in the US, making it unnecessary to seek permanent residency for these individuals.
Gregory Untersehr, director of the airline division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, told Reuters: “They had so much difficulty finding pilots in 2023, they actually started recruiting visa pilots from Chile on H-1B1 because they promised them citizenship, verbally a green card to fly in the US for $50,000 a year.” He added, “Because they are having a hard time hiring and retaining pilots at such low wages.”
Like most U.S. carriers, Allegiant said it faced significant workforce challenges as travel demand surged after the pandemic. The airline has also struggled to retain pilots, partly due to attrition. SalaryTo stabilize staffing, the carrier expanded its hiring to include pilots under employment-based visa programs,
Allegiant currently employs approximately 62 pilots from Chile, Australia and Singapore through the H-1B1 and E-3 visa programs, approximately 4 percent of its total pilot count of 1,345.
An Allegiant spokesperson clarified that hiring pilots through visa programs is a small complement to its broader workforce strategy, not a replacement for U.S. hiring. However, the union refused to provide the letters required for the permanent labor certification application submitted by the airline. Permanent Labor Certification issued by the Department of Labor enables employers to hire foreign workers for permanent roles in the US.
In a letter to pilots seen by Reuters, Allegiant wrote: “As a result of the union’s failure to provide this information, we understand there may be a delay in receiving your green card.” The letter further states: “The Company condemns the union’s decision to harm you by refusing to provide the updated letter requested by the Department of Labor.” Allegiant confirmed to Reuters that “all of our hiring practices fully comply with federal labor laws, FAA regulations, and collective bargaining agreements with our pilot union.”
According to the union, the immigration status of many foreign pilots remains uncertain, with some reportedly advised not to leave the country as President Donald Trump takes tough measures against foreign-born workers. Mr Untersehr expressed concern, saying: “I sympathize with them. I think recently they were told that they shouldn’t even leave the country, right? Because they might not be able to come back.”
Attrition rates are reportedly rising at Allegiant, with pilots leaving the industry due to low pay, frustration with scheduling, and a nearly decade-old labor contract. A pilot who recently left Allegiant anonymously told Reuters: “In most cases Allegiant’s first-year first officers are making less than flight attendants at other major airlines or TSA agents.”
Despite the carrier’s interest in expanding operations, potentially adding 1,400 more destinations, a lack of adequate staff remains a significant hurdle, pilots informed Reuters. The unnamed pilot added: “For the last 18 months, there was nowhere to go. Now that people have options, you are seeing people leaving. I know I have five or six friends in a small group of people who are going.”