Release #: ATI 23.06
July 07, 2023

ATI Pilots Question Airline’s Readiness Prior to Prime Days

WASHINGTON—Air Transport International (ATI) is the largest Amazon Air carrier, supporting Amazon’s two-day delivery guarantee since 2016. The ATI pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have raised growing concerns over understaffing affecting their ability to perform up to the standards Amazon expects from them, especially during next week’s Prime Days—generally the busiest two days of e-commerce each year.

“Last year, we had more than 500 pilots on staff for Prime Day. This year, we have fewer than 400 pilots flying the line,” said Capt. Mike Sterling, chair of the ATI ALPA Master Executive Council. “It’s a competitive hiring environment for professional pilots, and ATI has fallen far behind due to its outdated pilot contract with subpar pay and benefits. A market-based contract is the only solution to stem attrition and maintain our high levels of performance.”

The union and the Company have been in negotiations on a revision to the pilot contract for more than three years. The parties engaged the assistance of the National Mediation Board to move talks forward in March 2023, but no progress has been made.

“The ATI pilot group is proud to operate for Amazon Air and has consistently delivered top performance. We wish to continue to do so, but management refuses to provide the tools and resources we need to remain competitive,” added Sterling. “We are concerned about our ability to deliver the product Amazon and their customers expect with limited resources.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 74,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org