Air Transat pilots, who are members of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), have officially kicked off negotiations for a new contract with the airline's management. The news came from a recent statement issued by ALPA on January 6, 2025. Leading the charge is Bradley Small, Chair of Air Transat MEC, who emphasized the importance of updating their current agreement which dates back to 2015. Small noted, “We will negotiate a contract that reflects the current standard within Canada’s aviation sector, similar to those recently negotiated by Air Canada and WestJet.”

The focus of these negotiations will center around key issues such as employment protection, salary conditions, pilot group insurance, and retirement conditions. ALPA has highlighted that these areas have not kept pace with those of other Canadian airlines, resulting in what they believe are inadequate career progression and quality-of-life provisions. Small stated firmly, “Our pilots are united and ready to stand for a contract that delivers for us and secures the future of our airline. The message to management is simple: We won’t back down; it’s a matter of respect.”

Discussions regarding the new contract initially began in December 2024 following the disclosure of Transat A.T.'s earnings for the fourth quarter of that year. The parent company of Air Transat announced a revenue increase to $788.8 million in the fourth quarter, up 3.2% from the corresponding period of the previous year. Encouraged by this financial report, Air Transat pilots were eager to commence negotiations in the new year, underscoring their unity in approach. According to Small, “We want to remind management of the negative impact of prolonged negotiations with the flight attendants and mechanics.”

On average, Air Transat pilots carry over 2.5 million passengers annually, servicing flights to nearly 60 destinations across 30 countries. The discussions between the pilots represented by ALPA and Air Transat management are crucial in shaping the future for both parties involved. Stay tuned to Pilotcenter.net News for updates on this evolving story as negotiations progress towards a fair and mutually beneficial contract agreement.