Aviation News – Allegiant Air’s effort to secure permanent U.S. residency for a group of foreign pilots has been halted after the airline’s pilots’ union refused to support the application, raising concerns over wages and hiring practices.
The airline had sought green cards for pilots recruited from Chile, Australia, and Singapore under H-1B1 and E-3 visa programs. These pilots represent roughly 4% of Allegiant’s 1,300-plus pilot workforce and were brought in during ongoing post-pandemic staffing shortages. The union’s refusal stemmed from a required certification that Allegiant’s wages met federal “prevailing wage” standards — a stipulation the union rejected.
The foreign pilots reportedly earned about $50,000 annually, significantly below industry norms. Without permanent residency, their immigration status now remains uncertain, potentially affecting pilot availability and Allegiant’s scheduling reliability.
In comments to Reuters, union official Gregory Unterseher, director of the Airline Division of Teamsters Local 2118, said the airline “promised them citizenship … for 50,000 bucks a year.” He argued the low pay and poor scheduling contributed to attrition among existing U.S. pilots — a key reason the union blocked the residency effort.
The dispute could pressure Allegiant to raise wages and improve working conditions if it hopes to maintain staffing levels. The airline may need to renegotiate terms with the union or revisit its hiring strategy to avoid further instability.
Allegiant’s residency plan is effectively paused, leaving foreign pilots in limbo and the airline reassessing how to stabilize its pilot corps. The issue underscores broader labour tensions in an industry still grappling with post-pandemic shortages and evolving workforce expectations.
