A delegation from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), including representatives from various unions such as ver.di from Germany, represented by Robert Hengster, and Unite the Union from the UK, represented by Kris Major, alongside Gabriel Mocho Rodriguez, Secretary of the ITF Civil Aviation Section, convened at the 13th meeting of the ICAO Facilitation Panel (FALP/13) in Montreal last week. Their participation significantly influenced the discussions, focusing on crucial issues concerning the treatment and safety of aviation workers worldwide. During the discussions on “Cre ..read more

Colombia is in the process of introducing new legislation, in a significant move to safeguard the rights and well-being of workers in the aviation industry.  The proposed legislation, which was filed on 20 February in the House of Representatives and due to be considered in Parliament soon, will put an end to the escalating trend of unacceptable behaviour towards aviation staff by implementing comprehensive protection measures and strengthening existing procedures and to curb violations of legal regulations by passengers.  Recent data from the national civil aviation of the country ..read more

146 members of the US Congress have written to the CEO of Delta Air Lines urging them to stop union busting activities and commit to negotiating in good faith if their employees choose to form a union.  Delta employees announced a coordinated campaign to organise in November 2022 amongst flight attendants, fleet service workers, and technicians, supported by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).  But Delta’s history of union busting tactics whi ..read more

The Haneda Airport IncidentOn January 2, 2024, a tragic accident at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport involving a Japan Airlines and a Coast Guard aircraft underscored the critical role of cabin crew in ensuring passenger safety. Despite the severity of the collision and the ensuing fire, all 379 passengers on the Japan Airlines plane were safely evacuated, a testament to the flight crew’s professionalism. Sadly, the incident resulted in the loss of five crew members from the smaller aircraft. Daily Challenges This is not an isolated incident. Cabin crew around the world ensure passenger safety on every ..read more

COP28, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – On International Civil Aviation Day, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is today calling on governments the world over to implement subsidies and incentive programmes to ramp up the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to ensure the industry meets its decarbonisation targets and enable it to focus on upskilling and retaining staff as part of a just transition to a sustainable future. “Right now, airlines are trying to stimulate SAF production by creating confidence in demand through offtake agreements for future ..read more

The Government of Mauritius must insist that its national airline reinstates Yogita Baboo, President of the Air Mauritius Cabin Crew Association (AMCCA), who was unfairly disciplined and fired, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has demanded.  The ITF has roundly condemned the airline for Baboo’s dismissal and is firmly backing the peaceful protest in the country’s capital Port Louis today (2 August 2023), organised by Baboo’s sisters and brothers in the ITF-affiliate union, AMCCA.  Baboo was discipled and then summarily fired on 10 July 2023 for critical statemen ..read more

London – The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) today said that the failure by governments and industry to address the systemic issues that have made it an unattractive place to work are highly likely to disrupt the supply chain and cause flight delays, airport congestion and beleaguered service levels during the upcoming peak travel season.    On the back of today’s announcement from EasyJet to cancel 1,700 flights, ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton said that the ITF projects another chaotic peak travel season as a number of airlines and airpor ..read more

Women representing global and European transport unions are attending this week’s ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit 2023 in Madrid, Spain, to ensure the voices of women aviation workers from around the world are heard loud and clear and to press for changes that address the systemic challenges that have plagued the industry since its formation. ICAO’s Global Aviation Gender Summit 2023 brings together governments, employers, unions, international and intergovernmental organisations, private stakeholders, academia, influencers of change from around the world to catalyse progress, advocate for ..read more

The highly anticipated ‘2023 Aircraft Cabin Air Conference’ is set to begin next week, from June 27 to 29, 2023. This virtual conference will delve into various topics related to cabin air quality and safety. Notably, one of the keynote speakers at the event will be Sara Nelson of AFA-CWA, co-chair of the ITF Civil Aviation Section Committee and a prominent figure in the aviation industry and promotor of cabin crew rights. With a focus on the cabin environment, the conference aims to address political and flight safety implications related to cabin air quality. The event seeks to improve aviat ..read more

Delta Air Lines workers, alongside their union allies, recently attended the company’s shareholder meeting in Manhattan, to demand Delta management commit to International Labour Organization (ILO) standards on freedom of association and neutrality in union organizing campaigns. Watch the livestream of the rally here. There are 45,000 Delta employees actively organizing to join unions. Mechanics and related workers are organizing to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; ramp, cargo, and tower workers are seeking to join the IAM; and Delta flight attendants are organizing ..read more