The SkyTeam Pilots Association (SPA) convened their bi-annual meeting hosted by the Alaska Airlines ALPA MEC in Seattle, Washington on 21-22 September 2018. The value by way of information exchange, discussion and debate on such issues as industrial relations, flight safety and economic challenges cannot be underestimated.

A number of issues continue to challenge the global airline industry. Of continuing concern to SPA is the all-too-common lackluster approach to pilot fatigue by airline management. SPA continues to emphasize airlines should establish and maintain proper fatigue and rest management protocols, which go above and beyond regulatory minimum requirements. Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS) ought to be used to reduce risks related to fatigue, not primarily to increase productivity. Flight safety is no accident; unfortunately airline managements and their relevant regulatory authorities display dangerous shortcomings when developing and applying what should be science based fatigue regulations.

Maintaining a just and fair culture as well as establishing trust in the working environment are values that should not be compromised. It is most disappointing therefore that The Boeing Company chose to facilitate the use of Boeing contracted pilots in a labor dispute at Avianca Colombia. Boeing conveniently denies responsibility for placing these pilots; their refusal to withdraw their services is unacceptable. SPA is dismayed by this shameful industrial interference.

ASPA de Mexico briefed SPA about their challenging ongoing negotiations with Aeromexico. SPA supports a successful and imminent conclusion to a new Collective Labor Agreement.

SPA members were also briefed on the career threats the Alaska Airlines pilots face as a result of management’s insistence on contractual provisions that fall far short of industry norms and their lack of vision in an ever-changing airline industry. SPA fully supports Alaska Pilots in their efforts to safeguard their future.

The mission of the SPA Safety Committee is to support, promote and challenge the SkyTeam member airlines together or individually on their jointly stated commitment and standards on safety, security and quality. This is accomplished through programs of flight data and fatigue monitoring, voluntary reporting and training standards, based on just culture.

SPA acknowledges that just culture promotion is an everyday challenge, requiring constant efforts, and deplores the consequences of recent decisions by the Air France Safety Department.

SkyTeam member airlines are actively hiring new pilots to meet their needs. Pilot recruitment and training programs need to be geared to address the characteristics of the new generation of pilots. As the pilot career path accelerates, this will require new approaches to education and mentoring to improve pilots’ professionalism and decision making. SkyTeam airlines should maintain focus on the candidate’s potential to become a commander.

SPA consists of pilot unions and associations from sixteen airlines around the world who maintain mutual international codeshare agreements. Full members include pilots from Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air and Middle East Airlines. Associate members include pilots from Alaska Airlines, Austral Lineas Aereas, Virgin Atlantic Airways and future Associate member WestJet Airlines.

The pilot representatives of SPA continue to work on behalf of the pilot groups they represent. Co-operation between the member associations of SPA is paramount to protecting the interests of all SkyTeam Pilots.