Allegiant Air Faces Union Block in Bid for Foreign Pilots’ Green Cards Amid Staffing Challenges

Allegiant Air is facing mounting pressure as its pilots’ union blocks the airline’s effort to secure permanent residency for dozens of foreign pilots from Chile, Australia, and Singapore. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 2118 has refused to certify that Allegiant’s pilot roles—starting at roughly $50,000 a year—meet prevailing wage standards required by the U.S. Department of Labor. Without this certification, the green card applications for these pilots remain stalled, placing both their immigration status and Allegiant’s staffing plans in uncertainty.

According to the union, Allegiant should prioritize offering competitive, industry-standard compensation to retain U.S. pilots instead of relying on foreign hires. Representatives argue that the airline misrepresented its intentions by recruiting visa-dependent pilots during a 2023 staffing shortage while verbally promising pathways to permanent residency—offers allegedly made despite wages significantly below industry norms.

Allegiant currently employs around 62 foreign pilots through H-1B1 and E-3 visa programs, accounting for about 4% of its 1,345-pilot workforce. The airline maintains that visa hiring is only a small supplement to its broader recruitment strategy and claims the union initially supported the initiative. In internal letters, Allegiant warned its foreign pilots that the union’s refusal to provide updated documentation could delay green card processing—a delay made more concerning as the Trump administration tightens scrutiny on foreign workers.

Despite Allegiant stating that attrition is below average, pilots report rising departures fueled by low pay, scheduling frustrations, and a decade-old labor contract. Many first-year first officers earn less than flight attendants at major airlines or even TSA agents, prompting some to leave as better opportunities emerge.

While Allegiant has proposed significant wage increases and retention bonuses in ongoing contract negotiations, staffing issues continue to hinder its growth ambitions. Pilots say the airline’s plans to add over 1,000 new destinations cannot move forward without resolving its workforce challenges.