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Tag: Air Line Pilots Association, Canada

  • Air Inuit Pilots Approve New Collective Agreement

    17 Sepember 2025

    MONTREAL, PQ— Earlier today, the pilots of Air Inuit, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), ratified their first collective agreement between Air Inuit and ALPA. With an impressive 92% of eligible pilots who voted, 94% did so in favor of the agreement. The four-year contract establishes a strong foundation that reflects the realities of operating in Nunavik and northern Quebec, while supporting pilot retention and long-term stability for the airline.

    “This contract is the result of more than a year of determined and focused negotiations, supported every step of the way by a united and engaged pilot group,” said Capt. Louis-Philippe Desmarais, chair of the Air Inuit ALPA Master Executive Council. “It delivers meaningful progress on salaries, benefits, paid leave, and career progression, while directly addressing the retention challenges to the reliability of northern air service.”

    The new collective agreement also acknowledges the demanding and unique operating environment of Nunavik by introducing significant improvements to scheduling that enhance pilots’ quality of life and align more closely with industry practices. To support long-term career development and retention, pilots will receive a fixed amount as retroactive compensation, benefits tied to experience, as well as modernized contract language to ensure stability and operational continuity.

    “This is a pivotal moment for the more than 230 Air Inuit pilots,” added Desmarais. “This agreement strengthens the airline’s future by ensuring experienced pilots can build sustainable careers here. It is not only about fairness for pilots—it’s about guaranteeing reliable air service for Nunavik communities.”

    The pilots and Air Inuit’s management team have agreed to immediately begin working together to implement a plan to ensure all aspects of the new agreement are in place as soon as possible.

    Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 43 US and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on X @ALPAPilots.

  • Air Transat Pilots File Notice of Dispute with Federal Government Following Stalled Negotiations

    15 September 2025

    Montreal, PQ—After nine months of negotiations without meaningful progress, the Air Transat Master Executive Council, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), has filed a Notice of Dispute with the Federal Minister of Labor and the Federal Mediation Service of Canada as contemplated by s.71 of the Canada Labor Code .

    Since the start of negotiations in January 2025, Air Transat’s pilot-led Negotiating Committee has invested over 400 hours—spanning 50 full days—at the bargaining table. “Unfortunately, the company’s team has failed to engage and show willingness to advance the negotiation progress at an acceptable pace,” said Captain Bradley Small, chair of the Air Transat MEC. “Our team has been ready to work since day one. What we need now is a fully committed and responsive partner on the other side of the table.”

    Following the filing of the Notice of Dispute, the Minister of Labor will have up to fifteen days to appoint a federal conciliator; thereafter, the parties will be obligated to meet for a minimum of 60 days while the conciliator attempts to assist both parties in reaching an agreement.

    “We are not walking away,” said Capt. Small. “Our goal remains a modern contract—one that reflects the realities of today’s industry, ensures fair compensation, enshrines job protections, and improves the quality of life for our pilots.”

    Air Transat pilots have been operating without contractual improvements for over a decade and currently lack the job protections, fair remuneration, and quality-of-life standards that have become the norm across the industry. “It’s time for management to match our commitment,” said Capt. Small. “Our pilots are united and ready to achieve the modern contract we’ve earned.”

    Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 43 US and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org

  • Porter Pilots Serve Notice to Bargain for Their First Collective Agreement

    10 September 2025

    TORONTO, Ont.—Today, Porter pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), served Porter Airlines a written notice to bargain, marking the first official labour negotiations under the Canada Labour Code.  

    “By joining ALPA last month, the Porter pilots now have a collective voice as we formally begin negotiations for our first collective agreement,” said Captain Andrew Axson, chair of the Porter pilots’ Master Executive Council. “We are excited to have access to ALPA resources as we engage with Porter’s management to enhance both the commercial success of the airline and the well-being of our pilots and their families.”

    A number of Porter pilots began a grassroots initiative called “Porter Pilots for Change.” Their efforts led to ALPA’s certification as the bargaining agent for Porter pilots by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) on August 11, 2025.

    “Our goal is to reach a fair contract that recognizes our pilots’ important role in Porter’s success,” Axson continued. “Porter pilots are proud of our profession and where we work. We remain fully invested in both our company’s growth, as well as our customers’ safety and satisfaction. Our contract should reflect the dedication, value, and skill we bring to the airline.”

    Porter Airlines, headquartered in Toronto, is Canada’s fourth-largest major airline, with more than 800 pilots based in Toronto, Vancouver, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Montréal, and Halifax. The carrier operates passenger service across Canada, with routes to the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.

    Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org 

  • Flair Pilots File to Open Contract Negotiations

    2 September 2025

    Edmonton, Alb.—Today, Flair pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), announced to Flair management its intention to formally open contract negotiations on the pilot group’s new collective agreement. 

    “Our over 250 pilots are more united than ever before and are ready to negotiate the collective agreement that we deserve,” said Flair Master Executive Council chair First Officer Aimee Wintle. “Based on clear direction from the pilot group, our negotiators are steadfast in their commitment to solving the significant problems plaguing our pilots: wages, career progression, and quality of life.”

    The Flair pilots’ current collective agreement is set to expire on December 31, 2025.

    “We come to these negotiations with determination and expect the Company to do the same,” added First Officer Wintle. “Flair pilots have already made sacrifices in the past to ensure this airline’s viability. Now it’s time for the Company to return the favour. We are committed to bargaining in good faith, but the outcome must reflect our value — A Fair contract for Flair pilots.”

    Flair is Canada’s first independent ultra-low-cost carrier, operating scheduled domestic passenger service to 27 Canadian and North American destinations.

    Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines, including more than 5,000 Air Canada pilots. Visit ALPA.org 

  • Porter Airlines Pilots Choose ALPA

    World’s Largest Pilot Union Now Represents More Than 95% of Canada’s Professional Airline Pilots

    12 August 2025

    OTTAWA, ONT.—The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) certified the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) as the bargaining agent for more than 800 pilots at Porter Airlines. With this milestone, Porter’s pilots become the 43rd pilot group to join ALPA, and the 22nd in Canada, further strengthening the unified voice of professional airline pilots.

    “We are proud to welcome the pilots of Porter Airlines to ALPA and expand the strength and power of our international union,” said ALPA president, Captain Jason Ambrosi. “We are always stronger together, and bringing our brothers and sisters at Porter into ALPA will not only improve their ability to negotiate good contracts but also ensure that safety and workers’ rights remain front and center.”

    Porter’s pilot group has grown significantly in the last five years and operates the Embraer E195-E2 and the De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft. This rapid expansion has made Porter the fourth-largest pilot group in Canada. Until today’s certification of ALPA as the bargaining agent for the Porter pilots, Porter was the largest non-unionized carrier in the country.

    “With the addition of the Porter pilots, more than 13,500 pilots, representing 95% of Canada’s professional pilots, are now represented by ALPA,” said Captain Tim Perry, ALPA Canada president. “Porter pilots are instrumental to the airline’s considerable success. Our immediate priority is to help Porter pilots negotiate a fair collective agreement that recognizes their significant contributions to the airline. Porter pilots are entering a new chapter, and we stand with them as they build a strong and bright future within our industry.”

    In recent years, ALPA has recently welcomed thousands of pilots from numerous other Canadian carriers, including Air Borealis, Air Canada, Air Inuit, Cargojet, Flair, Keewatin Air, Morningstar Air Express, PAL Airlines, PAL Aerospace, Pascan Aviation, and Perimeter Aviation.

    Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 79,000 pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org 

  • Air Inuit Pilots Enter Conciliation Phase

    23 June 2025 – Montreal, P.Q.— After a year and a half of negotiations, the pilots of Air Inuit, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), have officially filed a Notice of Dispute with the Minister of Labour requesting conciliation assistance. This decision marks a major milestone in the negotiation process for their first collective agreement as ALPA members. 

    “While progress has been made over the course of several meetings, disagreement remains over financial and salary-related issues,” explains Louis-Philippe Desmarais, chair of the Master Executive Council for Air Inuit. “Pilots believe that management’s proposals fall well below current industry standards and fail to reflect the evolving realities of the aviation sector, particularly the unique challenges of operating in the North.” 

    ALPA’s request for conciliation was filed with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on June 18. The Minister of Labour has 15 days to appoint a conciliator. Once appointed, the conciliator will have 60 days to assist the parties in their discussions and work toward a resolution. 

    The pilots’ key demands focus on wages and improving quality of life, including predictable schedules. According to the pilots, fair compensation, predictable schedules, and basic benefits are crucial to retaining experienced crew members, especially given the demanding nature of northern routes. 

    Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 79,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org 

  • ALPA Canada Responds to Competition Bureau Report

    Bureau Releases Report on Competition in Canada’s Airline Industry

    20 June 2025 – OTTAWA, ONT.—Captain Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) Canada, issued the following statement yesterday after the Competition Bureau released their report “Cleared for take-off: Elevating airline competition,” which makes recommendations to the government on creating what it believes are the right conditions for competition in Canada’s airline industry.

    “Unfortunately, the Bureau’s focus on prioritizing competition within Canadian aviation policy is far too narrow in scope to take into consideration the broader realities and existing challenges of Canada’s aviation sector. Furthermore, competition is not a synonym for affordable air travel. We believe that Canada’s resources should be directed at pursuing the policies with a real chance of strengthening our airlines for the benefit of the Canadian economy and its passengers.

    “The Bureau’s recommendation to work with other countries to remove foreign competition restrictions to allow for foreign airlines to fly domestic service within Canada, known as cabotage, is a lose-lose proposition that sells out Canadians by forfeiting the air sovereignty that connects our country and exports many of the benefits of Canadian-owned and operated enterprises. Such a scheme would enable foreign airlines to cherry-pick money-generating routes at the expense of less profitable regional connections that bind our country and are the backbone of the Canadian economy.

    “ALPA Canada strongly believes that permitting foreign airlines to conduct cabotage operations in Canada—in any way, shape, or form—is impractical, unwise, and places Canadian carriers at a competitive disadvantage while displacing Canadian workers from high value jobs. Canadians must see this report for what it’s doing: undermining Canadian jobs, businesses, and our fundamentally shared national interests.”

    Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 79,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org 

  • ALPA Canada Calls on All Parties to Protect Canadian Jobs and Commit to Temporary Foreign Worker Program Reforms

    April 8, 2025 – OTTAWA, ONT.—As the voice of over 95 percent of Canada’s professional, unionized pilots, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), is calling on all of Canada’s federal parties to commit to reforming the country’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)  in light of recent government approval granted to WestJet Inc. to hire foreign pilots through the program.

    “Our Association plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of Canada’s aviation sector. We advocate for policies that protect pilots, improve working conditions, and enhance the overall stability of the industry,” said Capt. Tim Perry, ALPA Canada president. “The recent government approval granted to WestJet Inc. to hire temporary foreign pilots at WestJet Encore through the TFWP raises significant red flags regarding the program.

    “The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process under the TFWP is wholly inadequate and lacks any consultation and engagement with the unions representing the employees impacted by the hiring of TFWs. Consideration of the impact on unionized workers employed under terms set out through collective bargaining is necessary and should be a required component of the LMIA process,” continued Perry.

    ALPA urges all parties to commit to a review of the TFWP, with the goal of reforming the LMIA process to recognize and place importance on input from labour and require meaningful and robust consultation with the unions that represent impacted employees.

    Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 79,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org

  • Sunwing Pilots Urge Westjet to Keep YQB Base Open

    March 17, 2025

    QUÉBEC CITY, QUE.—Today, Sunwing Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), gathered inside Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) to call on WestJet Airlines to reverse its decision to close the YQB base, citing the severe economic and cultural impact it will have on the community.

    In 2022, the WestJet Group announced a deal to buy Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations. The acquisition closed in May 2023. WestJet subsequently announced operational changes as part of the acquisition, including the closure of the YQB base, with the pilots being transferred to Montreal.

    “WestJet purchased Sunwing with the intention of expanding services in eastern Canada and increasing vacation offerings from regional hubs,” said Capt. Mark Taylor, chair of the Sunwing ALPA Master Executive Council. “Closing or relocating the YQB base undermines this corporate strategy and the company’s own stated goals. WestJet must understand the economic impact closing this base will have throughout the Québec City region.”

    The YQB base creates wealth in the region, supports local businesses, and contributes to Québec’s overall economic growth. As a Canadian airline operating in Québec, losing the YQB base could especially damage WestJet’s image among the Francophone community. 

    “Keeping the Québec City base open maintains a certain expectation of service level as Sunwing transitions to WestJet,” Taylor added. “Having local crews means quicker responses in cases of mechanical issues, crew illness, or staffing shortage problems, which is beneficial for the airline.”

    No official date has been released for the closure, but WestJet has stated it will be in the spring of 2025.

    Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 79,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org 

  • Aviation Leaders Call on Canada’s Transport Ministers to Strengthen, Not Weaken, Safety Protections

    Ottawa, Ont. – February 21, 2025 — Today, as Canada’s Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers of Transport gather for their annual meeting to discuss our nation’s most pressing transportation challenges, Canada’s air traffic controllers and airline pilots are calling on the Ministers to take decisive action to strengthen—not roll back—critical safety protections for air travel.

    Nick von Schoenberg, President of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA), and Captain Tim Perry, President of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada, are asking Ministers to prioritize the recommendations of our comprehensive White Paper on Canadian aviation safety, Charting a Flight Path for the Future of Canadian Aviation,which outlines how our current system requires focused attention and resources to remain safe and sustainable. Canada, along with its provincial and territorial partners, must prioritize measures essential to aviation safety.

    “Canadian aviation has long been recognized for its high safety standards. We cannot afford to weaken safety measures, such as our Flight Time and Duty Time regulations, in pursuit of cost-cutting or convenience. Aviation safety should never be compromised,” said Capt. Tim Perry.

    ALPA and CATCA are also calling on the Ministers to publicly commit to workers— and more importantly, to the Canadian public—that they will not roll back critical aviation safety measures in favour of increasing operators’ bottom lines. At the conclusion of the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Transport Ministers’ meeting, we will be looking for specific language in the Ministerial Communique, signed by all Ministers, which affirms the collective will to improve aviation safety.

    “The safety of passengers, crews, and all Canadians depends on robust, evidence-based regulations that prioritize safety,” said von Schoenberg. “Work intensification and fatigue remain serious concerns in air traffic control operations. Ministers must demonstrate leadership and work together with all stakeholders to ensure a system that is resilient, well-staffed, and safe for all.”

    The International Civil Aviation Organization’s 2023 audit of Canada’s aviation system has already provided a blueprint for what needs to be improved. Canada used to be among the top 10 performing countries but has now received a score of just 65%.

    About ALPA and CATCA

    Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 79,000 pilots at 42 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit alpa.org or follow us on X @WeAreALPA and @ALPACanada.

    The Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA) represents Canada’s air traffic controllers, who ensure the safe and efficient movement of aircraft in Canadian airspace.