ASAP Executive Board Convenes in Istanbul Ahead of Global IFALPA Conference
ISTANBUL, TURKIYE — The Executive Board of the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (ASAP) has officially gathered in Istanbul for a series of strategic sessions. This summit serves as a critical precursor to the upcoming International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) conference, where the world’s leading voices in aviation safety and labor will address the industry’s most pressing operational challenges.
The Istanbul meetings are focused on aligning ASAP’s priorities with the IFALPA agenda, specifically targeting technical and cultural developments that impact flight deck operations. Key areas of focus for the Board include:
Cultivating a Positive Safety Culture: Strengthening non-punitive reporting environments and ensuring that safety remains the primary driver of organizational decision-making across the industry.
Mitigating GNSS Interference and GPS Jamming: Developing robust operational strategies and advocating for technical redundancies to counter the increasing frequency of signal interference in critical flight corridors.
Preventing Runway Excursions: Enhancing training protocols and landing technology to mitigate one of the industry's most persistent safety risks.
Global Safety Standards: Refining Safety Management Systems (SMS) to better integrate human factors and emerging technological threats.
"The discussions taking place here in Istanbul are foundational to the representation we bring to the IFALPA floor," said Captain Craig Malcolm, chair of the ASAP Executive Board. "By focusing on technical resilience against threats like GPS jamming and fostering a culture where safety is a shared value, we ensure that our members are equipped to handle the complexities of modern global airspace."
As the IFALPA conference commences, the ASAP Board remains committed to advocating for professional standards that prioritize the safety and security of the global aviation community.
About ASAP
The Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (ASAP) unites pilot associations across the Star Alliance network. Our mission is to promote and protect the interests of our members, foster effective communication and collaboration, and advance the highest standards of safety and professionalism in global aviation.
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.
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:
Click the "Register Now" in the member's section of this site to register each individual attendee at ASAP, Montreal
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.
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
Sign the petition against P2F: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/p2f_must_stop/ "Pay-to-Fly" (P2F) is an atypical employment form that occurs when an airline requires the pilot to pay for his/her 'line-training' on board of revenue-earning flights, instead of earning a salary. But even if not illegal, this practice is highly unacceptable.
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.
Panama City, Panama
The Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (ASAP) today concluded their semiannual Executive Board meeting in Panama City, Panama. The Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium currently consisting of 28 member carriers. ASAP consists of the leadership of the pilot unions and associations at those carriers, which collectively represent approximately 50,000 pilots. Thirty-two delegates were in attendance at the meeting.
The Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (ASAP) today concluded their semiannual Executive Board meeting in Panama City, Panama. The Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium currently consisting of 28 member carriers. ASAP consists of the leadership of the pilot unions and associations at those carriers, which collectively represent approximately 50,000 pilots. Thirty-two delegates were in attendance at the meeting.
There were extensive updates from each of the ASAP associations regarding labor relations at their respective airlines and the status of labor laws in their home country. These updates generated considerable debate and questions from the delegates. The delegates also discussed the status of current negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement at their respective airlines.
The Norwegian Air International (NAI) business model and its negative impact on airline labor was reviewed. NAI has its operating certificate in Ireland, and contracts European flight crew through an Asian outsourcing company. This business model is of grave concern for all commercial airline pilots.
The Board took action to insure closer coordination with IFALPA and further insure that ASAP has a voice at IFALPA conference and all other meetings.
Also the Executive Board was briefed by Captain Gavin McKellar about the Star Alliance Safety Meeting held in Dubai in July, 2013. To insure uniform safety standards in the Alliance, all new members of Star Alliance must have satisfactorily completed an IATA Operational Safety Audit as a condition of Star Alliance membership.
The Asiana Pilots Union informed the Executive Board that their attempts to achieve a Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) agreement with Asiana Airlines were rejected. The Board took action to communicate with Asiana Airlines management to urge that they enter into a joint agreement with their pilots to govern their FOQA data collection program.
The Board elected Captain Ron Pellatt, Air Canada, to serve as Executive Board Chairman.
Photo Credit: "Copa Airlines fleet parked at Tocumen International Airport, Panama City, Panama" Flikr user Jewbask, CC 2.0
Herndon, Virginia, USA
The Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (ASAP) today concluded their semiannual Executive Board meeting in the Washington, D.C., area. The Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium currently consisting of 28 member carriers. ASAP consists of the leadership of the pilot unions and associations at those carriers, which collectively represent approximately 50,000 pilots. Twenty--]. six delegates were in attendance at the conference.
The Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (ASAP) today concluded their semiannual Executive Board meeting in the Washington, D.C., area. The Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium currently consisting of 28 member carriers. ASAP consists of the leadership of the pilot unions and associations at those carriers, which collectively represent approximately 50,000 pilots. Twenty--]. six delegates were in attendance at the conference.
In addition to substantial discussion and presentations concerning labor relations and bargaining related to mergers, seniority list integration, and health and retirement benefit negotiations, other issues discussed by the delegates during working sessions were the overall economic state of the industry worldwide and industrial developments which likely will impact pilots.
Of particular note were presentations surrounding new company business models like those at Norwegian Air Shuttle and its subsidiaries, and the issue of contract pilots. The conference adopted the following statement regarding contract pilots:
"Employment model.permanent and temporary employment: All pilots engaged in commercial flight operations for an airline or its airline affiliate shall be employed under a collective labor agreement [CLA]/collective bargaining agreement [CBA] between the authorized representative of the pilots and the airline or airline affiliate holding the Air Operators Certificate [AOC] and having operational responsibility for the flight operations conducted by the pilot. An airline affiliate means any other entity which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the airline."
Also at this meeting, the ASAP Industrial Subcommittee, consisting of those member associations which are legally permitted to and have an interest in industrial issues, discussed further the interests of the pilots at those carriers and what actions might be taken in response to the particular situations they confront.
The conference also included discussions on a range of flight--].safety issues and the regulatory framework governing accident investigations and safety programs such as Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA).
United Airlines Captain Ron Abel, ASAPfs Executive Board chairman, noted that "the value of our collective discussion.especially with regard to assessing changes sweeping the airline industry.canft be overstated. We must continue to apply our experience and resources to anticipate and deal with the challenges that we face as a profession."
The next regular Executive Board meeting of ASAP will take place in Panama City, Panama, on March 25.26, 2014.
Dublin, Ireland
The Associations of Star Alliance Pilots ("ASAP") today concluded their semi-annual Executive Board meeting here in Dublin. The Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium currently consisting of twenty-seven member carriers. ASAP consists of the leadership of the pilot unions and associations at those carriers, which collectively represent approximately 50,000 pilots. Approximately forty delegates were in attendance at the conference.
The Associations of Star Alliance Pilots ("ASAP") today concluded their semi-annual Executive Board meeting here in Dublin. The Star Alliance is an airline marketing consortium currently consisting of twenty-seven member carriers. ASAP consists of the leadership of the pilot unions and associations at those carriers, which collectively represent approximately 50,000 pilots. Approximately forty delegates were in attendance at the conference.
Several distinguished guest speakers addressed the body, including Captain Don Wykoff, President of the International Federation of Airline Pilots ("IFALPA"), which commences its annual meeting here tomorrow and Ms. Roz Briggs of Mercer, Ireland, Ltd, who discussed the many challenges to defined benefit plans generally and approaches to bargaining over such programs. A subsequent panel of speakers also addressed these issues. The presenters were Captain Evan Cullen, President of Irish ALPA, the host Association for the IFALPA conference, Captain Craig Blandford, President of the Air Canada Pilots Association, and Mr. Bruce York, Director of the Representation Department of U.S. ALPA.
In addition to substantial discussion and presentations concerning bargaining over pensions, other issues discussed by the delegates during working sessions was the overall economic state of the industry world-wide and industrial developments which likely will impact the pilots. Also at this meeting, the ASAP Industrial Subcommittee, consisting of those member associations which are legally permitted to and have an interest in industrial issues discussed further the interests of the pilots at those carriers and what actions might be taken in response to the particular situations they confront.
Captain Ron Abel of United, ASAP’s Chairman, noted that, "the unmistakable takeaway from our discussion is that there is a need to be focused and disciplined in our bargaining strategy for bargaining changes to benefit plans and never miss an opportunity."
The delegates were also briefed on the recently concluded International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Sixth Worldwide Air Transport Conference. Finally, the meeting concluded with an address by Ambassador Duane Woerth, the U.S. representative to ICAO.
The next regular Executive Board meeting of ASAP will take place in Herndon, Virginia at the Headquarters of U.S. ALPA on October 8-10, 2013.