Says Proposal Goes Against Merger Agreement Between Iberia/British Airways

The union representing the pilots of American Airlines, the Allied Pilots Association (APA), issued a statement over the weekend expressing support for the Spanish pilots’ union SEPLA, which has objected to plans for a low-cost airline called Iberia Express.

“Our SEPLA colleagues have indicated that Iberia Express directly contravenes the Iberia-British Airways merger agreement between the pilots and management,” said APA President Captain Dave Bates (pictured). “We therefore urge Iberia management and the International Airlines Group to initiate an immediate course change and to comply with the terms of their agreement with SEPLA.

“Breaching the letter and spirit of a negotiated agreement does not bode well for the labor-management relationship at Iberia,” Bates said. “Likewise, any plan predicated on the outsourcing of good middle-class jobs from the mainline carrier will have a further corrosive effect.

“As we have all seen, the most successful airlines have demonstrated conclusively the value of fully engaging every employee,” he said. “Outsourcing stands in diametric opposition to that proven approach.”

International Airlines Group, the company created through the merger of Iberia and British Airways, has characterized Iberia Express as an intended competitor for budget carriers such as Ryannair and EasyJet on short- and medium-haul routes.

American Airlines, Iberia and British Airways are members of the oneworld Alliance.

FMI: www.alliedpilots.org