Transatlantic flights face shutdown as US pilots back protest at BA
David Robertson
British Airways's dispute with its pilots over the establishment of a
new subsidiary airline could spread to the United States and shut
down two thirds of transatlantic flights.
Pilots working for American Airlines, which has a partnership
agreement with BA, said yesterday that they would "unequivocably
support" the BA pilots' union. BA's pilots are threatening to strike
over the airline's decision to set up a separate division called Open
Skies, which will operate from cities such as Paris and Brussels to
New York.
The British Air Line Pilots' Association (Balpa) is worried that BA
will use its new division to introduce a low-cost operating structure
that will lead to reduced pilot salaries and benefits. The Allied
Pilots Association, representing 12,000 AA pilots, is concerned that
the idea will spread and that United States-based carriers might try
to follow suit.
Captain Lloyd Hill, the APA president, said: "As far as outsourcing
is concerned, the British Airways pilots' struggle is our struggle.
Accordingly, we have pledged a broad range of support to our fellow
pilots at British Airways, including personnel and financial
resources, to help to resist plans by their airline's management to
establish an alter ego operation."
Last week, 86 per cent of the 3,000 BA pilots who are Balpa members
voted to strike over the Open Skies proposal. BA and Balpa said
yesterday that they would try to resolve their differences through
Acas, the concilliation service. Talks will begin on March 3.
A strike by BA pilots would be the first in nearly 30 years and would
cripple the airline. The support of American Airlines pilots will put
extra pressure on BA, as its partner could also be grounded by the
action.
About 68 per cent of all traffic between Heathrow and the United
States is carried by AA and BA and industrial action at both would
have a substantial impact on transatlantic travel.
Mr Hill added: "Our pilots have experienced first-hand the career
damage brought about by outsourcing. We stand foursquare behind our
British Airways colleagues in their efforts to stop this threat to
our collective livelihoods."
BA is proposing to begin Open Skies services from June, using old
Boeing 757 aircraft. If the project is successful, it will extend the
venture to include flights from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid and
Milan to the United States.
David Robertson
British Airways's dispute with its pilots over the establishment of a
new subsidiary airline could spread to the United States and shut
down two thirds of transatlantic flights.
Pilots working for American Airlines, which has a partnership
agreement with BA, said yesterday that they would "unequivocably
support" the BA pilots' union. BA's pilots are threatening to strike
over the airline's decision to set up a separate division called Open
Skies, which will operate from cities such as Paris and Brussels to
New York.
The British Air Line Pilots' Association (Balpa) is worried that BA
will use its new division to introduce a low-cost operating structure
that will lead to reduced pilot salaries and benefits. The Allied
Pilots Association, representing 12,000 AA pilots, is concerned that
the idea will spread and that United States-based carriers might try
to follow suit.
Captain Lloyd Hill, the APA president, said: "As far as outsourcing
is concerned, the British Airways pilots' struggle is our struggle.
Accordingly, we have pledged a broad range of support to our fellow
pilots at British Airways, including personnel and financial
resources, to help to resist plans by their airline's management to
establish an alter ego operation."
Last week, 86 per cent of the 3,000 BA pilots who are Balpa members
voted to strike over the Open Skies proposal. BA and Balpa said
yesterday that they would try to resolve their differences through
Acas, the concilliation service. Talks will begin on March 3.
A strike by BA pilots would be the first in nearly 30 years and would
cripple the airline. The support of American Airlines pilots will put
extra pressure on BA, as its partner could also be grounded by the
action.
About 68 per cent of all traffic between Heathrow and the United
States is carried by AA and BA and industrial action at both would
have a substantial impact on transatlantic travel.
Mr Hill added: "Our pilots have experienced first-hand the career
damage brought about by outsourcing. We stand foursquare behind our
British Airways colleagues in their efforts to stop this threat to
our collective livelihoods."
BA is proposing to begin Open Skies services from June, using old
Boeing 757 aircraft. If the project is successful, it will extend the
venture to include flights from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid and
Milan to the United States.