Issue Addressed At The 68th Annual IFALPA Conference

Globalization within the airline industry took center stage Friday as hundreds of pilot leaders from around the world gathered in Dublin, Ireland for the 68th Annual Conference of the International Federation of Airline Pilots’ Association (IFALPA). As the world’s economy continues to recover and grow through international trade and investments, the aviation industry, like others, is seeking ways in which to compete in a global environment. IFALPA pilots are working proactively to address potential issues, mitigate threats, and maximize opportunities.

“This year’s conference will convene pilots from all over the world who will find the ideas, inspiration, and tools to help them make an instant impact with their pilots and their airlines,” said IFALPA President Capt. Don Wykoff (pictured). “By collaborating on a global scale, we are working to advance the piloting profession while making air travel safer and more secure worldwide.”

Prior to the conference, pilot leaders assembled for a pre-conference symposium, Global Pilots’ Symposium, to discuss the strategies and tactics to best address three core union fundamentals: advocacy efforts, negotiations, and communications. The format changed from a pure idea exchanging environment to hands-on breakout sessions with concrete deliverables on how pilot groups around the world can get in the political game, implement initiatives to maximize negotiations in a pattern bargaining environment, and best communicate a targeted message to both internal and external audiences.

FMI: www.ifalpa.org