America’s airlines are introducing a class below economy (economist.com)

As the candidates in America’s presidential race pontificate on the growing divide between the haves and the have-nots, the country’s airlines are busy segmenting customers between the haves, the have-lesses, the have-somewhats, the have-nots and, now, the have-nothing-at-alls. Airlines have long seen profitability in investing heavily in first- and business-class while degrading the flying experience […]


February 26, 2016

New ICAO guidelines a ‘big achievement’ for ITF

After years of campaigning for safe cabin air quality, the ITF has welcomed the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Guidelines on education, training and reporting of fume events. The ITF had long warned of the health risks of cabin air extracted from engine compression and conveyed unfiltered to passengers and crew, and was concerned […]


February 24, 2016

Chile union delivers food to airport workers in LATAM protest

A trade union has delivered snacks to LAN workers on shift at Santiago airport, Chile, to draw public attention to the way the company treats its aviation workers there. The Union of Airport Workers (Sindilanex) said LAN (part of the LATAM group of airlines) workers at the airport have to spend up to six hours […]


February 19, 2016

Unions set strategies for emerging air traffic control technologies

The ITF’s air traffic services (ATS) affiliates from 20 countries have agreed to develop a global strategy to stop any negative impact on flight safety and aviation workers’ conditions posed by the growing use of remote air traffic control towers far from airports. Sixty-five delegates gathered on 5 and 6 February for a lively two-day […]


February 11, 2016

Aviation strikes in Argentina and Brazil ramp up pressure on LATAM

Strikes by civil aviation workers in Brazil and Argentina on 3 February were the latest actions in a battle across the region to improve working conditions at the giant LATAM Airlines Group (LATAM). The two-hour stoppage in Brazil was part of a general strike organised by pilots, cabin crew and ground staff over the collective […]


Global union condemns Karachi airport shootings

Global union federation the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) today condemned the killing of three Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) workers and the wounding of 12 others at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on Tuesday. ITF general secretary Steve Cotton explained: “PIA workers are committed to fighting the planned privatisation of the national airline. On Monday the […]


February 5, 2016

LAN and TAM airline workers to strike today in Argentina and Brazil

Aviation workers in Brazil voted to strike on February 3rd· Strikes likely to continue in Argentina · Colombia is negotiating to improve conditions for workers and may join in actions supporting the Brazil and Argentina stoppages. Aviation workers from Brazil and Argentina are striking to improve the working conditions at the giant LATAM Airlines Group. […]


February 3, 2016