Pilots align cross-border strategy

17 April 2018
by eub2 -- last modified 17 April 2018

The growth of transnational airlines operating throughout Europe, and further afield, has led pilots to recognise that they must cooperate even more closely and adopt new representation methods to address the challenges arising from these new business models.

At a meeting hosted by IALPA on 12 April, Norwegian, SAS, easyJet and Ryanair pilots shared ideas and strategies how to improve Transnational Airline Pilot representation within Europe.

"The EU has created cross-border structures to deal with safety and operational matters, like the European Aviation Safety Agency and to deal with economic liberalisation, but the social structures are missing," says ECA President Dirk Polloczek following the meeting. "This leaves pilots no other option but to look for their own, creative transnational solutions."

The rapid expansion of transnational airlines and their ability to adapt their business structures across borders and using multiple Air Operator Certificates (AOCs), requires pilots to be coordinating transnationally.

This coordination translates into close communication and better exchange of information to establish common goals and ways to achieve them. Reaffirming pilot unity across borders and airlines, is the key to improving employment terms & working conditions across the industry.

The European Cockpit Association represents the collective interests of professional pilots at European level, striving for the highest levels of aviation safety and fostering social rights and quality employment.

European Cockpit Association