Aviation Industry Updates: May 9, 2023

Analysis: Delta's Pilot Deal Turns Up The Heat On Rival Airlines' Union Negotiations

KEY POINTS:

• Delta Air Lines' (DAL.N) industry-changing pilot contract that offers $7 billion in higher pay and benefits is putting pressure on rival carriers to hand out similar deals ahead of a busy summer travel season.
• Any proposal that falls short of Delta's deal will likely have no takers among the unions, but airline executives say even matching that contract could balloon operating costs at a time when a worsening economy has clouded travel outlook. The Delta deal, working conditions and other topics will be discussed at a global conference of pilots in Montreal through Sunday.
• "Delta is out there as a marker," American Airlines (AAL.O) Chief Financial Officer Devon May told Reuters. "That's what we are looking towards as we are working with our pilots union to get a deal done."
• The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier has estimated that matching Delta's offer will cost it about $8 billion over four years. American Airlines, United Airlines (UAL.O) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) are all in the middle of contract negotiations with their pilots.
• Southwest and United have not quantified the potential impact publicly, but both expect a marked increase in non-fuel operating costs.

Reuters

We Just Got A Pilot With FOUR 121 Checkride Failures Hired At A Legacy

I don’t know why you haven’t gotten an interview yet… But, if you book a call, we’ve got the resources to figure it out and help you get one ASAP.

Airlines Add Workers As They Gear Up For Summer Travel Bonanza

KEY POINTS:

• Airlines have more workers than they've had in 20 years, but they still might not have enough to handle what's projected to be a sizzling summer travel season.
• Driving the news: United Airlines, which has already hired more than 7,000 workers since January, said Wednesday that it plans to add 8,000 more this year.
• The company has received more than 12,000 applications for more than 4,000 flight attendant roles, spokesperson David Gonzalez said in an email.
• The big picture: The air transportation industry had an estimated 534,400 employees in March — up 9.5% from a year earlier and the most since April 2003, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said in April that the company is fielding "record" advance summer travel bookings — and international trips are particularly hot.
• "Even with aggressive hiring efforts ... there is still a deficit due to the fact that it does certainly take time to become commercial pilot ready."

Axios

We Just Got A Pilot With A Gear Up Landing Hired At A Major

I don’t know why you haven’t gotten an interview yet… But, if you book a call, we’ve got the resources to figure it out and help you get one ASAP.

US To Propose New Rules For Airline Cancellations, Delays

KEY POINTS:

• President Joe Biden said Monday his administration will write new regulations that will require airlines to compensate air travelers and cover their meals and hotel rooms if they are stranded for reasons within the airline’s control.
• The compensation would be in addition to ticket refunds when the airline is at fault for a flight being canceled or significantly delayed. It would give consumers in the United States protections similar to those in the European Union.
• “I know how frustrated many of you are with the service you get from your U.S. airlines,” Biden said.
• “That’s why our top priority has been to get American air travelers a better deal.”
• Biden added, “You deserve more than just getting the price of your ticket (refunded) — you deserve to be fully compensated. Your time matters, the impact on your life matters.”
• Biden’s pledge comes just weeks before the start of the peak summer travel season, when air travel could exceed pre-coronavirus pandemic records.
• Officials at the Transportation Department, which will write the new rules, said they didn’t have a precise date for when they expect to finish, but indicated they are working to quickly publish a notice that is required to get the process started.

AP News

Republic Pushes Controversial Contract With Aggressive Non-Compete Clause

We Just Got A Pilot With 2200 Hours Hired At A Legacy

I don’t know why you haven’t gotten an interview yet… But, if you book a call, we’ve got the resources to figure it out and help you get one ASAP.

2023 HIRING EVENTS

PAPA | MAY 18-19 | LAS

American Meet the Chiefs | JUN 20 | IAH

OBAP | AUG 9-11 | MSY

LPA | SEP 14-16 | ISM

RTAG | OCT 7-8 | FTW