BA's pilot deal - BA has sealed a comprehensive agreement with pilots union BALPA, which provides pilots flying for its controversial long-haul charter arm AML and short-haul routes out of Gatwick with the same terms and conditions as BA mainline pilots. In return pilots have agreed to relax some flying rules - BA can now hire two instead of three pilots on a number of long-haul routes with extended stop overs. The deal will deliver cost savings and resolves a long-running dispute with BALPA over the use of lower-paid pilots on AML.
Separately, BA has signed up its tenth franchise partner, Base Airlines of the Netherlands. The 50,000 passenger a year carrier will add eight routes to BA's European network, feeding its London and UK regional hubs.
Iberia on strike - The Spanish flag carrier is faced with a series of 24-hour strikes by pilots which will coincide with the closing bids from Spanish constitutional investors for a stake in the carrier at the end of March. The dispute centres on working conditions as well as seniority at Binter Canarias. Iberia is finalising the sale of its regional subsidiary for an estimated Ptas 5000 million ($33 million). Binter Mediterranio is also to be sold. Iberia says it will guarantee 95% of flights during the strike.
LH labour pact - Lufthansa has signed a 13-month agreement, to its 51,000 ground and cabin staff giving them a 3.5% pay rise.
Source: Airline Business
