But Acknowledge It May Be A Lost Cause
Their airline may be out of
business... but pilots for Aloha Airlines are exploring multiple
avenues to keep the carrier alive, according to the Air Line Pilots
Association.
As ANN reported, Aloha
management announced this weekend the airline would cease all
passenger operations March 31, just 10 days after filing for
Chapter 11 reorganization -- the airline's second bankruptcy in
three years. The airline's management blamed high fuel costs and
predatory pricing practices by its competitor, namely Mesa Air
Group's go!, as the reasons for its demise. The airline reported
losing more than $5 million a month recently.
ALPA acknowledges the announcement may in fact spell the end of
Aloha Airlines... but that hasn't deterred Aloha pilots, through
their local Master Executive Council, from exploring a number of
options to assist the Aloha in contining operations, by engaging in
continuous negotiating efforts with management and with prospective
suitors.
"Today is a sad day for our union," said ALPA president Capt.
John Prater. "Throughout our rich history together, the Aloha
pilots have always displayed the highest sense of loyalty and
support for this union and their company. ALPA will not only defend
their contract rights vigorously and represent them in bankruptcy
court, we will give everything we can to help them move forward
with their lives and careers. We salute all of the past and present
pilots at Aloha."
Aloha pilots joined ALPA as pilots of Trans Pacific Airways in
1949 (the airline changed its name to Aloha in 1959). More than 300
pilots are employed by Aloha.
ALPA says the airline's announcement came as a surprise, as
recently management continued to explore strategic options
--including looking for larger aircraft and expanding operations to
Asia. Over the past few months, Aloha pilots executed a series of
Letters of Agreement in response to management's plans.
Aloha filed first for bankruptcy in 2004, and pilots made
concessions to help improve the airline's financial position and
attract new investors. The Aloha pilots agreed to a 20 percent pay
cut, productivity enhancements, and a 2-year "freeze" on their
pension plan. ALO pilots gave more than $12 million worth of
concessions to the airline to support its previous restructuring
efforts to ensure Aloha became profitable and a stable airline.
ALPA is reaching out to other airlines that have ALPA
representation to discuss job placement opportunities for the
pilots.
"Every airline pilot who has ever worked for a bankrupt airline
or seen their carrier go out of business can empathize with the
employees at Aloha," said Capt. Eric Sampson, Chairman of the
Hawaiian Airlines unit of ALPA. "It's never their fault, but it's
always the employees who suffer most when an airline goes away.
Aloha has a proud history and their people deserve better than
this."
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