- Pilots at Alaska Air Group-subsidiary Horizon Air have approved an amended accord that includes wage increases designed to attract new crews. The regional airline has 800 pilots and flies de Havilland Dash 8-400s and Embraer E175s for Alaska. Horizon Air pilots are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
- Ryanair plans to hire 2,000 new pilots over the next three years as it takes delivery of new Boeing 737 Max 8-200 aircraft. The Irish discounter was one of few airlines who expanded the ranks of its cockpit crew members during the crisis, ending 2020 with 5,584 pilots compared to 5,446 a year earlier, its annual financial statements show. Most airlines cut staffing numbers when Covid-19 travel restrictions all but shut down air travel. Ryanair does not indicate how many of the new crews will be growth versus replacing retirees. Training classes will begin this year.
- WestJet and its flight attendant union CUPE have a tentative agreement covering crews at regional subsidiary WestJet Encore. Few details have been released but a ratification vote is planned for August.
Edward Russell
July 19th, 2021