Fierce Opposition: Allegiant Pilots Push Back on Viva’s Job-Threatening Alliance

Allegiant pilots recently issued a statement regarding negotiations between Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air and Mexican ultra low-cost carrier Viva (fka Viva Aerobus).

A union representing Allegiant pilots fears that a partnership would lead to significant layoffs, with Viva pilots taking over positions on Allegiant flights.

The two low-cost carriers have been discussing a partnership since 2021. Since then, however, there have been a number of significant setbacks, including the change of administrations following the 2024 US presidential election.

Allegiant Union: Our Pilots and Customers Deserve Better

Allegiant Airlines teamsters published a press release in late April strongly opposing a possible partnership between their airline and Viva.

According to the release, Allegiant is seeking government approval for the new partnership. The release’s primary concern is the possibility of giving ‘the majority of jobs and flying hours to Mexican crews with Viva’ at the chagrin of 1,400 Allegiant pilots within Teamsters Local 2118.

Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien didn’t hold his feelings back during the press release, calling the proposed partnership ‘un-American.’

‘We see Allegiant’s proposal for what it is –– a shameless attempt to lower our members’ standard of living, all to enrich Allegiant’s greedy executives…Allegiant pilots and customers deserve better than this carrier’s disrespect.’

Viva and Allegiant Pilots story — Image: By NS777 from Wikimedia Commons

Teamsters Local 2118 Negotiations Chairman Captain Josh Alen also described what the airline would be like under a partnership with Viva:

‘While we support the development of new routes and business for Allegiant, their application with Viva Aerobus will kill American jobs and set a dangerous precedent in the airline industry…It is extremely insulting that Allegiant would threaten to outsource our work in the middle of contract negotiations. We will not rest until Allegiant recognizes the value we provide and protects our work here in the United States.’

Airlines in a Three-Year Struggle

Allegiant and Viva have been discussing a ‘trade alliance agreement’ since December 2021. The agreement would expand the networks of both airlines, and Allegiant would pledge $50 million in equity into its equivalent south of the border.

The agreement has been waiting for regulatory approval for years, and Teamsters Local 2118 requests that the Trump administration deny the motion for approval. Allegiant contacted the US Department of Transportation (DOT) on 4 April, requesting that it approve the motion.

An Allegiant spokesperson responded to questions from the media about the proposed partnership, saying:.

‘This alliance, if approved, will provide tremendous benefits to consumers seeking affordable, nonstop travel between the U.S. and Mexico…Allegiant currently doesn’t provide transborder flying, so this is an opportunity to expand our service into Mexico while giving our pilots a chance to fly new routes that are not otherwise available to them at this time.’

Allegiant pilots push back on proposed Viva partnership — Allegiant’s brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 | IMAGE: planespotters.net

The spokesperson also emphasized that pilots from Mexico are forbidden to operate U.S. domestic flights.

About Viva

Based on passenger numbers, Viva is Mexico’s third-largest airline and the 11th largest in North America. The carrier is located at Monterey International Airport in Apodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico. Launching in 2006 as Viva Aerobus, the carrier rebranded to simply ‘Viva,’ in October 2024.

Viva operates an all-Airbus fleet of 115 aircraft in the A320 and A321 families. The carrier serves 60 destinations across Mexico, the United States, Central America, and South America.

Within the United States, Viva serves: