ICAO: Examine Safety Implications of Norwegian Air Business Model

Today, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) endorsed a letter sent by the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) urging the formation of an ICAO study group to review safety implications of an airline business model that conducts all flight operations outside the borders of the state responsible for safety oversight. ALPA shares the concerns raised by IFALPA, a global organization that represents more than 100,000 commercial airline pilots in 100 countries.

In the letter, IFALPA highlights the concern that ICAO Annex 6, the international safety regulation that lays out guidelines for the safe operation of aircraft, does not address situations in which an airline issued an air operator certificate (AOC) does not operate to or from the state issuing the AOC. In the case of Norwegian Air International (NAI), the state, Ireland, issued NAI an AOC, but the airline does not fly to or from Ireland.

Read more about ICAO.

U.S. Airline Workers Need Fair Skies
ALPA Supports “Open Skies” Policy When Airlines Compete on Commercial Merit

U.S. airlines and their workers need the U.S. government to make certain its international aviation policies such as Open Skies agreements ensure fair competition in an economic arena in which foreign airlines may benefit from powerful state support or attempt to violate the intent of international policy to gain an unfair competitive advantage over U.S. businesses. On April 10, ALPA capitalized on the opportunity presented by FedEx Corporation Chairman and CEO Fred Smith’s address before the International Aviation Club of Washington, D.C. to advance our union’s position that U.S. airline workers need fair skies, not just Open Skies. ALPA issued the following news statement.

“It’s clear that U.S. airline industry workers have benefited from the expanded access to new markets made possible by U.S. Open Skies agreements,” said ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak. “While ALPA strongly supports the goal of expanding U.S. airlines’ entry into new markets, U.S. international aviation policy must evolve with the change that’s taking place in the global economy.”

Read more about Fair Skies.

Italian Court Rules Against Emirates’ MXP—JFK Route

ALPA issued the following statement regarding a decision by an Italian administrative court in Rome, TAR Lazio, finding the Italian Civil Aviation Authority improperly granted permission to Emirates Airline, in violation of the Italy-UAE air transport agreement, to operate its non-stop route between Milan and New York.

“We applaud TAR Lazio for determining that Emirates Airlines’ nonstop between Milan and New York was not properly authorized by Italy’s CAA. Emirates’ service offers no additional benefits to travelers, is improper, and the attempt by Emirates to oversaturate a route that is already well-served by U.S. and Italian carriers is a clear step in the long-term strategy by a heavily supported, state-owned foreign airline to undercut U.S. airlines and hurt U.S. jobs.

“Just as the decision by the Roman administrative court helps to preserve, for now, a fair and level playing field for Italian carriers, ALPA calls on the U.S. government to make aviation policy decisions that advance the U.S. airline industry—not harm it.”

ALPA National Appoints New IT Director

ALPA announced that Richard Harrell has been appointed as Information Technology Department director. Effective April 11, Rick will lead ALPA’s Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, network and operations, and applications and development teams to support ALPA members and advance their pilot-partisan agenda through technology and innovation.

Harrell’s 16-plus years of ALPA experience and proven track record, coupled with his outside experience, make him uniquely qualified to vigorously lead ALPA’s IT initiatives, strategically align our IT operations with ALPA’s objectives and priorities, and focus on our IT vision going forward.

ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak said of Harrell: “Rick is precisely the leader we need to realign our IT resources and position ALPA to provide real-time, cutting edge value to our members.”

Moak Talks with PCL MEC

ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak participated in a frank discussion with the Endeavor Air MEC today in Herndon, VA. The dialogue was part of a week-long meeting. Topics from today’s conversation ranged from the state of the industry, management relationship building to the challenges with the Streamlined Selection Process (SSP) negotiated during the company’s bankruptcy as Pinnacle Airlines.

FDX MEC Hosts Unity Event

As the FedEx Express pilots continue Section 6 negotiations with management, unity among the crew force has never been more significant. On Tuesday, the FDX MEC’s Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee (SPSC) hosted a Pilot Unity Building (PUB) event in Memphis at Buffalo Wild Wings. “We continue to host these types of events in coordination with our MEC meeting week,” explained SPSC chairman F/O Mark Durant. “Aligning this event with the MEC meeting allows for all of the MEC leadership and committee chairmen to be in one location to answer members’ questions.”

The solidarity continued on Wednesday at the FDX ALPA quarterly Memphis Joint Council Meeting where attendees heard from the MEC leadership and Negotiating Committee. “Our pilots are ready to see negotiations come to a conclusion,” said MEC chairman Capt. Scott Stratton. “The turnout at events such as these makes it clear that our members are engaged and unified in their support of our Negotiating Committee. We have consistently stated that we want a contract that is focused on the goals set forth by our members, realistic based on the long-term profitability of the corporation, and fair based on our members’ contributions to that profitability. The time for that contract is now.”

EGL Pilots—Make Your Opinion Count!

One of the most important steps in developing a common MEC strategy is determining what pilots want. A survey for the American Eagle pilots is now live and operational on alpa.org. All Eagle pilots are encouraged to take the survey, which is the first step to determine the MEC’s goals and priorities and refine its future direction. Eagle pilots—make your opinions known; take the survey!

Read more about Eagle survey.

XJT, CMT, and TSC LEC Officer Election Results

From today’s ALPA Election and Ballot Certification Board meeting, the following elections were announced. Capt. Bill Dressler and F/O Craig Johnson were elected XJT Council 180 chairman and vice chairman, respectively. F/O Jeff Ciarcia was elected the CMT Council 152 vice chairman and first officer rep. And for TSC Council 225, Capt. Henry Kamphuis was elected captain rep, F/O David Hannan was elected first officer rep, and F/O Martin Gagnon was elected secretary-treasurer.

No More Hidden Taxes

In a push for greater transparency, the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is pursuing legislation that, if approved, would reverse a contentious Department of Transportation rule that requires airlines to include taxes in ticket price advertising. Most goods and services, from groceries to hotel rooms, add taxes when the products are paid for.

With yesterday’s committee approval, the legislation moves on to the full House for consideration. Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) noted that by requiring airlines to include taxes in their pricing—essentially hiding the taxes from potential passengers—airlines operate at a distinct disadvantage from other businesses. "This effectively masks the government-imposed taxes and fees on consumers," noted Shuster. "It is only fair that consumers know what they are paying for."

The current DOT rule demonstrates one more reason why the U.S. government must consider a pro-aviation policy to promote U.S.-based airlines, the many benefits their presence creates for our country, and the wide range of job opportunities they generate.

District Advocacy Trainings Next Week!

New District Advocacy web trainings have been scheduled! We are looking for volunteers who are interested in promoting ALPA’s legislative agenda and want to serve as pilot-partisan representatives to their local congressional offices. Volunteers should be willing to schedule and lead in-district advocacy visits with their members of Congress.

The webinar lasts approximately one hour and will train participants to become effective District Advocates. Topics covered will include the structure of ALPA’s grassroots program, how to set up and conduct local congressional visits, and a briefing on current pilot-partisan legislative issues.

District Advocates webinar training dates:
     • Tuesday, April 15 @ 1500 EST
     • Wednesday, April 16 @ 1200 EST
     • Friday, April 18 @ 1000 EST

Interested? Please email Carly.Rhyne@alpa.org and indicate which of the above sessions you would like to participate in. Future training dates will be offered this summer following the ALPA Legislative Summit.

IFALPA Wants Your Feedback

The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), of which ALPA is a member, is surveying ALPA pilots and staff (among others) to ensure that the Federation is meeting our expectations. The survey is available until April 22 at www.esurveycreator.com/s/2ce070f.

ALPA works through IFALPA to influence policymaking at the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal and to interact with airline pilot groups in other countries. Representing 100,000 pilots globally, IFALPA serves as the “Global Voice of Pilots.”