Allegiant Air has told its 2,944 employees they will receive a year-end bonus about equal to 5 percent of their earnings through the end of September.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the budget airline's net profits rose 213 percent in the third quarter to $44.5 million. The airline has generated record traffic at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, with more than 1.6 million people expected to use the airport by the end of the year.
The bonuses were announced while Allegiant is in tense labor negotiations with its pilots' union, which claims the airline is skimping on maintenance.