Today’s release at a press conference in Geneva by Greenpeace Netherlands of a revised secret text on maritime services from the proposed Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) – an international trade treaty being negotiated between 23 parties, including the European Union and the United States – has not dispelled fears that years of rules developed […]
By John D. Porcari Former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, 2009-2013 Expanding global connectivity through aviation only succeeds when the playing field is level and the rules are both universally understood and scrupulously enforced. That was the core principle behind our government’s negotiation of an amended air services agreement with the European […]
Panama, a small nation of just three million, has the largest shipping fleet in the world, greater than those of the US and China combined. Aliyya Swaby investigates how this tiny Central American country came to rule the waves. (…) Cheaper foreign labour Most merchant ships flying Panama’s flag belong to foreign owners wishing to […]
Argentinean cabin crew union the Asociación Argentina de Aeronavegantes (AAA) and the ITF held a regional seminar on 22 March to discuss union responses to the threats posed to aviation workers and their industry in Latin America by increasing liberalisation and deregulation. The main focuses of discussion were Europe’s ‘open skies’ policy and the growth […]
The ITF is stepping up its ability to oppose aviation flags of convenience (FOC) and fight for safe cabin and airport air quality, the federation told delegates at its cabin crew committee meeting in London on 26-27 February. Participants were informed that the ITF had established a new air quality working group, which met for […]
By John A. Logan The Department of Transportation (DOT) will soon decide whether or not to grant controversial low-cost airline Norwegian Air International (NAI) a foreign air carrier permit to fly to the U.S. NAI is seeking to establish a “flag of convenience” model in transatlantic aviation, just as has been done in merchant shipping […]
The ITF has produced a new education module to help its affiliates organise around the growing trend of flags of convenience (FOCs) in aviation. The resource aims to create awareness among civil aviation unions of the immediate and long-term dangers stemming from an expansion of FOC practices in the global civil aviation industry. It sets […]
ITF unions have vowed to protect working conditions for aviation workers at Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS). Norway’s ITF-affiliated Parat union has long campaigned against NAS working practices. The airline has a track record of seeking to avoid Nordic working regulations by outsourcing various parts of its operations. In February, NAS obtained a license to operate […]
