Air Canada Pilots (ALPA Intl) hold info picket to announce end of 9 year contract

ALPA Newsroom Air Canada Pilots

IFALPA, ECA & ALPA Intl comment on Reduced Crew Operations (RCO)

Removing Airline Pilots From the Flightdeck

is a gamble with safety

Global Pilot Leaders Unite to keep two Pilots on the Flight Deck

IFALPA, ECA, ALPA Join Forces Against a New Threat to Safety—Reduced Crew Operations

MONTREAL, BRUSSELS, WASHINGTON, D.C. —Leaders of the world’s largest pilot organizations today announced a global coalition to prevent airlines and manufacturers from pushing ahead with plans to remove pilots from the flight deck, a profit-driven scheme that poses a significant safety risk. Pilot representatives from the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), the European Cockpit Association (ECA), and Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) vowed to take collective action to protect the flying public and counter an aggressive corporate-led lobbying campaign targeting regulators around the world, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
 
“Whether you depart from New York, San Francisco, or Atlanta bound for London, Paris, or Tokyo, a crew of at least two qualified, experienced, trained, and rested airline pilots is at the controls on the flight deck of your plane. Every aspect of your flight—the aircraft, its systems, the regulations, and standards that apply to the flight, and the procedures that pilots follow—is deliberately designed for a team working together on the flight deck,” wrote ALPA President Capt. Jason Ambrosi, IFALPA President Capt. Jack Netskar, and ECA President Capt. Otjan de Bruijn in a recent opinion piece.

A 2017 study by NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration identified unacceptable safety risks posed by single-pilot flight operations, especially during abnormal events and emergencies. Yet, some airlines and aircraft manufacturers are currently pressuring international aviation bodies to put profits first and introduce an unacceptable level of safety risk to commercial aviation. Professional pilots embrace and support new technology on the flight deck that enhances safety; however, they unanimously agree that removing skilled aviators from the flight deck—so-called reduced-crew operations—will increase risk and compromise safety.

Despite developments in automation and improved technologies on the flight deck, two pilots at the controls remain the most important safety features of an aircraft. Pilots eliminate system-failure scenarios and act as a critical onboard backup for failed systems, bridge technology gaps, and adapt in real-time and in the real environment to unanticipated situations and emergencies. Technology, no matter how sophisticated, is not a replacement for pilots on the flight deck.

The global pilot community, including the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots, the Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition, and the SkyTeam Pilots Association, are united in the fight against reduced-crew operations and will do everything in their power to ensure the current standards that have made aviation the safest form of transportation in the world will not be eroded. For more information on these collective efforts, visit www.safetystartswith2.com.
 

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Media Contact: Emily Bitting, Senior Communications Specialist, emilybitting@ifalpa.org 
 

The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations represents more than 150,000 pilots in nearly 100 countries. The mission of IFALPA is to promote the highest level of aviation safety worldwide and to be the global advocate of the piloting profession, providing representation, services, and support to both our members and the aviation industry. Visit IFALPA.org for more information.
 
The European Cockpit Association is the representative body of over 40,000 pilots from across Europe, striving for the highest levels of aviation safety and fostering social rights and quality employment for pilots in Europe. For further information, please visit the Media Room.
 
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 67,000 pilots at 39 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.
 

ASAP SPG MEETS IN NRT

The ASAP Strategic Planning Group (SPG) met in Narita, Japan on March 29 & 30, 2023 to plan the ASAP Executive Board Meeting to be held in Montreal on May 2 & 3, 2023.

ASAP Executive Board

The ASAP Executive Board Meeting met in Istanbul, Turkiye Oct 24-27.

Elections were held for ASAP Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer. Captain Craig Malcolm a B787 Captain with Air NewZealand (NZALPA) was reelected as ASAP Executive Board Chairman. Captain Ron Pellatt, a B777 Captain with Air Canada (ACPA) was also re-elected as ASAP Executive Board Secretary-Treasurer.

ACDAC Commemoration Event March 2022

Letter of Support to the SAAPA Pilots

2nd April 2021
Via email to gntback@gmail.com

Captain Grant Back
Chairman
South African Airways Pilots Association

Dear Captain Back

I am again writing on behalf of the all the pilots within the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (ASAP) to express our dismay and extreme disappointment at the continued malicious treatment of South African Airways pilots, by the Business Rescue Practioner’s and the Dept of Public Enterprises. Not only have you been locked out since December and have not been paid in nearly a year, but you are also now being unfairly targeted as “sabotaging” the SAA recovery effort to cover up the ineptitude and corruption within management.

We appreciate that SAAPA had made significant concessions towards securing the future of SAA and the pilots employed there. That you have now had to issue “strike notice” to try to have your retrenchment agreement honoured beggars belief.

You may be assured that as fellow ASAP pilots we are unequivocally committed to supporting SAAPA as you fight for your contractual rights.

I ask that all member associations respect the strike notice and honour the request for mutual assistance as requested from IFALPA copied below.

All SAAPA pilots will go on strike at 1800 UTC today 1 April 2021 with the following demands:

1. That the Regulating Agreement, its annexes and all other collective agreements be terminated on the day following the date on which the last SAAPA member leaves the employ of the Company as a result of the section 189(3) notice dated 18 July 2020.

2. That the proposed terms and conditions relating to dismissal of pilots for operational reasons and the notice period* as contained in the Company’s proposed terms and condition for future pilots, be applied to the dismissal of current pilots as a result of the section 189 notice dated 18 July 2020.

535 Herndon Parkway Herndon, Virginia USA, 20170 Alliancepilot.org

3. We demand that all pilots who are to be retrenched as a result of the section 189(3) notice dated 18 July 2020 be retrenched by no later than 15 April 2021 and that SAA pay these pilots their remuneration on termination, for the three (3) months’ notice that pilots would have received, in lieu of the pilots working their notice period.

As a consequence of the above, ALPA-SA requests, through IFALPA, the following Mutual Assistance starting on 1 April 2021 at 1800 UTC and until further notice:

Denial of Training Facilities (Para. 2.4.4) Submissions and Representations (Para. 2.4.7)

Again, we extend our full support to the pilot members of SAAPA and wish you well in the coming days and weeks.

Yours in Unity,

Captain Craig Malcolm
Chairman
Associations of Star Alliance Pilots Executive Board

Letters of Support to the Avianca Pilots

September 19, 2017

Via Electronic Mail at Jhernandez@acdac.org

Captain Jaime Hernández Sierra
President of the Columbian Association of Civil Aviators 19a #95-30
Bogotá, Colombia

Dear Captain Sierra:

I am writing on behalf of the 30,000 professional pilots and their associations who make up the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (ASAP). We are proud to have the Columbian Association of Civil Aviators (ACDAC) as members of ASAP. As you know, the principal purpose of ASAP is to promote and protect the interests of our pilots. We provide a forum to address common issues that affect all alliance pilots and to promote the highest level of safety among all Star Alliance airlines.

Recently, Avianca pilots have spoken with one voice and voted to authorize their union representatives to strike as negotiations have not resulted in a new agreement. An overwhelming 90% of the pilots voted in favor of the strike. This vote shows the deep unity and resolve AVIANCA pilots feel against the direction set by their airline’s management.

A successful strike will require a renewed unity commitment by every AVIANCA pilot. In taking charge of your future and seeking improvements no one can be a spectator or let someone else do the work. I encourage you stand united, now more than ever.

As fellow ASAP pilots, we want you to know we support you, the pilots and co-pilots of ACDAC. Women and men who have always shown, and continue to show your technical, safety and professional values. Our endorsement is accompanied by the recognition of the professional work done daily by the pilots of your country with regards to the passengers, company, government, and other authorities.

We know that a successful negotiation process requires enormous fortitude, discipline and courage. This is especially true when the process becomes challenged by external interests. We extend to you our full support for the course of your struggle for fair working conditions.

Difficult times lay ahead, which, I am confident, will be overcome by the unity, solidarity and resolve that the Avianca pilots have consistently demonstrated.

Fraternally,

Captain Alberto Gaspari

Chairman
ASAP Executive Board

November 29, 2016

Via hernan.rincon@avianca.com

Mr. Hernán Rincón
President and CEO, Avianca Holdings S.A. Aquilino de la Guardia Calle No. 8
Panama City, Republic of Panama

Via mark.schwab@staralliance.com

Mr. Mark Schwab
CEO, STAR Alliance Services GmbH Frankfurt Airport Center, Main Lobby 60546 Frankfurt, Germany

Via Calin.Rovinescu@aircanda.ca

Mr. Calin Rovinescu
Chairman, Star Alliance Services GmbH, Chief Executive Board c/o Air Canada
1625 K St NW
Washington, DC 20006

Dear Gentlemen:

I am writing you on behalf of the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (“ASAP”). The Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium of 28 member airlines which includes Avianca. ASAP consists of the pilot associations of these airlines and speaks for approximately 30,000 professional airline pilots. One of the goals of ASAP, which I hope you share, is to promote the highest level of safety among the Star Alliance airlines.

ASAP has received reports from ACDAC who represents pilots at Avianca, Avianca Cargo, and Copa Airlines Colombia, that these companies are ignoring court rulings and discriminating against pilots represented by ACDAC.

ACDAC has achieved significant court rulings that guarantee freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. However, Avianca and Copa have refused to recognize and implement the rulings. Rather than comply, they have chosen to circumvent the rulings and have pressured their pilots to sign individual contracts that provide them with increased compensation in return for increased productivity. This practice undercuts ACDAC’s collective bargaining rights and the increased productivity is obtained by pushing pilots to

535 Herndon Parkway Herndon, Virginia USA, 20170 Alliancepilot.org

keep the operation efficient even though it is detrimental to their health and raises safety concerns.

ASAP encourages you to stop these discriminating practices and comply with your legal obligations to engage in good faith bargaining with ACDAC and reach a collective agreement that treats all of your pilots equally. Please let me know if ASAP can assist in resolving ACDAC’s concerns.

Sincerely,

Alberto Gaspari Chairman
ASAP Executive Board Alberto.Gaspari@alpa.org 949-510-2889

Juan Manuel Santos Calderón President of Colombia
Calle 7 N° 6-54
Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia

January 13, 2015

Dear President Santos,

I am writing on behalf of the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (“ASAP”). As you may know the Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium consisting of 27 member airlines which includes Avianca. ASAP consists of the pilot associations of those air carriers and collectively represents approximately 50,000 professional airline pilots.

We are pleased that you and your administration have committed in the US-Colombian Labor Action Plan (“LAP”), which is an important part of the US-Colombian trade agreement, to defend workers’ rights and improve labor conditions in Colombia. However, we regret to inform you that Avianca and Copa Airlines are engaged in anti-union conduct that we believe you need to promptly address.

ASAP is deeply concerned about reports that pilots represented by the Association Colombiana De Aviadores Civiles (“ACDAC”) are victims of discrimination by their employer, Avianca and Copa Airlines, solely because they are members of ACDAC. Specifically, we understand that Avianca and Copa are offering pay incentives to pilots who agree to individual labor contracts rather than working under the existing collective agreements. This practice is designed to eliminate ACDAC by reducing their membership to the point they are ineffective and can no longer exist.

The conduct of Avianca and Copa by ignoring lawful collective bargaining agreements and discriminating against the pilots is in direct violation of the LAP that you have committed to implement and we believe a violation of Colombian law. We request that you conduct an investigation into the apparent anti-union conduct of Avianca and Copa and take the necessary steps to ensure that these airlines comply with the LAP and respect the rights of their pilots.

We would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Yours sincerely,

Captain Ron Pellatt
ASAP Executive Board Chairman

rpellatt@acpa.ca

ASAP Executive Board Meeting, Osaka, Japan

Associations of Star Alliance Pilots | Executive Board

NOTICE OF MEETING: ASAP EXBD 17-02

OSAKA, JAPAN (KIX) OCTOBER 24-27, 2017

Dear ASAP Executive Board Members, Delegates and Observers,

On behalf of the ASAP Officers, we have the pleasure of inviting you and your representatives, to attend the ASAP Executive Board Meeting, to be held in Japan from October 24, 2017 through October 27, 2017. The Meeting will be held at the Swissotel Nankai, Osaka.  

The meeting will be hosted by ACA (ANA Crew Association).  Our hosts are preparing an impressive logistical event.  We urge you to not delay on your registration, as space may be limited.  We intend to accommodate everyone interested in attending.

ACTION REQUIRED

Every member in your delegation has to register at Alliancepilot.org.  

If you have not accessed the member login section before, click on www.alliancepilot.org/member-sign-up and join as an ASAP member.

Register for the ASAP EXBD 17-02 Meeting in the members area of alliancepilot.org, which includes two optional add-ons:

Day 2: Kyoto Tour (Fee will be collected during the meeting)

Day 4: Special Guest Speaker Presentation (No fee)

Follow instruction for Hotel room reservations, for Special rate, booking must be made before September 21, 2017

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Osaka is served by Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Otami Airport (ITM).  Alternatively, flying into Tokyo there is a transfer either by plane or train.  Either from Haneda (HND) to Osaka Otami Airportt (ITM), Haneda to Kansai (KIX), or Narita (NRT) to Itami (ITM).

Taking the Bullet Train from Tokyo to Osaka is a 2.5-hour journey with a cost of approximately 14.000yen.  From Shin Osaka station, you can connect with the local train.

Transfer from KIX airport to the hotel is approximately 45 minutes by public transportation.  ITM airport is a bit closer to the hotel.

AGENDA PLANNING

Please send the Chairman (chair@alliancepilot.org) any requests or ideas for agenda items. A proposed agenda will be provided on or before September 21, 2017.  A final agenda will be published with the meeting documentation 10 days prior to the meeting on the ASAP website (alliancepilot.org). 

ELECTIONS 

Regularly scheduled elections will take place on Thursday, October 27th for ASAP Executive Board Vice-Chairman for a term of 2 (two) years. As per the ASAP bylaws, the intention is to rotate the Officer positions among the Member Associations so if you are interested or would like more information about the positions, please let the current officers know. 

KYOTO TOUR 

Planning is well underway for the social events, including a tour of Kyoto. This tour will take a full day, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday. The day ends at a traditional Japanese restaurant owned by the family of the ACA Chairman, where a cultural dance performance is also planned.

This event will create an excellent occasion to informally exchange ideas, concepts and strategies amongst peers. Please plan accordingly.

PROFESSOR PRESENTATION ASIA AVIATION

Half Day, in depth presentation and analysis of the Asian Commercial Aviation Sector.

HIGHLIGHTS

Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of ASAP!

Detailed information will follow.  Thank you for your consideration.

Fraternally,

Al, Jack and Gary

ASAP Executive Board Meeting, Montreal, Canada

We are pleased to announce our next ASAP Executive Board Meeting in Montreal, Canada. This meeting will be in conjunction with the Global Pilots Symposium, and the annual IFALPA Conference. There are two steps to register for these events:

1. Click the "Register Now" in the member's section of this site to register each individual attendee at ASAP, Montreal

2. Visit the IFALPA website to register for GPS & IFALPA, and to arrange hotel accommodations: http://conference.ifalpa.org/2017/. Be sure to select your check-in/check-out dates to attend all three events.

3. Complete the pre-conference survey, to tell us what you'd like to see discussed on our agenda for ASAP Montreal

We look forward to seeing our Star Alliance friends in Canada, and reconnecting with our pilot colleagues from around the world!

Best,

Al, Jack & Gary

A letter to Norway's Minister of Labour and Social Affairs

Dear Minister Hauglie:

I am writing on behalf of the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (“ASAP”) Executive Board. As you may know, the Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium consisting of 28 member airlines. ASAP consists of the leadership of the pilot unions and associations of those carriers and represents approximately 30,000 pilots worldwide.

In connection with the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (“IFALPA”) 71st Annual Conference in New Orleans, the ASAP leadership was briefed on the Norwegian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (ASD) proposal to change the Immigration Regulations for workers in international civil aviation. We understand that the current regulation requires that foreign aviation staff, not being EEA nationals, must have a residence permit when they work on Norwegian aircraft engaged in international traffic. We would like to stress that this is also the case in many nations globally to protect jobs and national competence.

We understand that the Ministry`s justification to amend the Norwegian regulations is the desire to harmonize them with the Schengen border Regulation. In this context it is important to emphasise that several EU nations do have national legislation to protect flying jobs for their citizens. We strongly believe that a change in Norwegian regulations could have major negative employment effects, as this could encourage social dumping practices resulting in a loss of good jobs on a large scale even globally.

535 Herndon Parkway Herndon, Virginia USA, 20170 Alliancepilot.org

An important core value in aviation is safety. Many Low Cost Carriers that were started in recent years have employee models largely based on temporary employment contracts, The individual employee often is acting as self-employed through an employment agency in a tax haven which is problematic in many aspects. In addition to setting the traditional employment model aside, this practice also poses a significant challenge to flight safety through a far more complex and less transparent structure which complicates oversight of the operations.

The use of alternative models of employment and flags of convenience is in ASAP ́s view a serious threat to both good flying jobs globally and flight safety. It is our strong belief that a change in the Norwegian regulations will degrade the quality of aircrew jobs and is a step in the wrong direction towards the international shipping model.

With such potentially damaging effects the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots strongly urges the Norwegian Government not to change its Immigration Regulation.

I appreciate your attention to this matter. Yours sincerely,

Captain Ron Pellatt
Chairman, ASAP Executive Board Rpellatt@acpa.ca

Pay to Fly schemes

Star Alliance Pilots Urge Their Governments to Ensure UAE, Qatar Comply with Air Services Agreements

OSLO, Norway—The Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (ASAP) today unanimously passed a resolution calling for their governments to review all air service agreements between Star Alliance airlines’ home nations and the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to ensure compliance with the fair competition provisions of those agreements. Cosponsored by the Air Canada Pilots Association and the German Cockpit Association (Vereinigung Cockpit), the resolution vote took place at the ASAP Executive Board meeting held this week in Oslo, Norway.

“Many Star Alliance airlines’ home countries promote and negotiate air services agreements, including Open Skies, based on the principles that they will open new markets, promote fair competition, and provide more customer choice,” said Capt. Ron Pellatt, ASAP Executive Board chairman. “The facts show that the governments of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have provided massive and sustained subsidies amounting to more than $40 billion in unfair economic advantages to Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates Airline, clearly compromising fair competition in the marketplace.”

Titled “Fair Competition and a Level Playing Field,” the resolution underscores that the governments of the UAE and Qatar have formulated economic development strategies that depend on massive financial subsidies to support expansion of international air passenger traffic through their hub cities and as key elements of their countries’ future economic development strategies. Backed by the support of all ASAP Executive Board members, the resolution goes on to state that it is only due to government subsidies that Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates Airline have grown at an unprecedented rate.

“As a result of the massive subsidies received by Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates Airline, some Star Alliance airlines are being forced to withdraw or reduce services, putting pilots’ and other employees’ jobs at risk,” continued Capt. Pellatt. “ASAP pilots are calling on our home country governments to review air services agreements with these countries to ensure that the UAE and Qatar are in compliance with the agreements’ requirements for fair competition.”

ASAP represents approximately 50,000 pilots who fly more than 18,500 daily Star Alliance flights to 1,330 airports in 192 countries. The Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium made up of 28 member airlines. ASAP consists of the leadership of the pilot unions and associations at those carriers. Learn more at www.starpilots.org.

ASAP Visits Norwegian Parliament

The Association of Star Alliance Pilots visited the Norwegian Parliament today, invited by Labour Representative Lise Christoffersen to participate in a panel discussion on alternative employment models and labour climate in general in the EU. The session was chaired by outgoing NSF representative, Rune Sundland.

The Canadian Delegation

Vancouver Chair, President and Negotiators of the Air Canada Pilots Association

NZAPLA

New Zealand ALPA Vice President and ASAP Vice Chair, Tim Robinson

Our Host

NSF representative and ASAP host, Dagfinn Haakonsen

Portuguese Delegation

SPAC representatives, Captains Santos and Silva

Industry Presentation

An industry spokesperson delivers a briefing to ASAP delegates and Norwegian policy makers

ASAP Chair

ASAP Chair, Captain Ron Pellatt delivers opening remarks