But Acknowledge It May Be A Lost Cause

Their airline may be out of business... but pilots for Aloha Airlines are exploring multiple avenues to keep the carrier alive, according to the Air Line Pilots Association.

As ANN reported, Aloha management announced this weekend the airline would cease all passenger operations March 31, just 10 days after filing for Chapter 11 reorganization -- the airline's second bankruptcy in three years. The airline's management blamed high fuel costs and predatory pricing practices by its competitor, namely Mesa Air Group's go!, as the reasons for its demise. The airline reported losing more than $5 million a month recently.

ALPA acknowledges the announcement may in fact spell the end of Aloha Airlines... but that hasn't deterred Aloha pilots, through their local Master Executive Council, from exploring a number of options to assist the Aloha in contining operations, by engaging in continuous negotiating efforts with management and with prospective suitors.

"Today is a sad day for our union," said ALPA president Capt. John Prater. "Throughout our rich history together, the Aloha pilots have always displayed the highest sense of loyalty and support for this union and their company. ALPA will not only defend their contract rights vigorously and represent them in bankruptcy court, we will give everything we can to help them move forward with their lives and careers. We salute all of the past and present pilots at Aloha."

Aloha pilots joined ALPA as pilots of Trans Pacific Airways in 1949 (the airline changed its name to Aloha in 1959). More than 300 pilots are employed by Aloha.

ALPA says the airline's announcement came as a surprise, as recently management continued to explore strategic options --including looking for larger aircraft and expanding operations to Asia. Over the past few months, Aloha pilots executed a series of Letters of Agreement in response to management's plans.

Aloha filed first for bankruptcy in 2004, and pilots made concessions to help improve the airline's financial position and attract new investors. The Aloha pilots agreed to a 20 percent pay cut, productivity enhancements, and a 2-year "freeze" on their pension plan. ALO pilots gave more than $12 million worth of concessions to the airline to support its previous restructuring efforts to ensure Aloha became profitable and a stable airline.

ALPA is reaching out to other airlines that have ALPA representation to discuss job placement opportunities for the pilots.

"Every airline pilot who has ever worked for a bankrupt airline or seen their carrier go out of business can empathize with the employees at Aloha," said Capt. Eric Sampson, Chairman of the Hawaiian Airlines unit of ALPA. "It's never their fault, but it's always the employees who suffer most when an airline goes away. Aloha has a proud history and their people deserve better than this."

FMI: www.alohaairlines.com, www.alpa.org