pilots

US, Canadian pilots unions clash over Cargojet and fatigue rules

Pilots flying a plane, cockpit view from behind looking out.

A union representing Canadian cargo pilots slammed a U.S. counterpart for criticism of employer Cargojet (TSX: CJT) over alleged efforts to undermine stricter duty-time regulations aimed at reducing fatigue, saying the remarks constitute interference in ongoing bargaining and a self-serving attempt to peel away its members.

The Air Line Pilots Association on Friday sent letters to the management of Cargojet and Unifor, Canada’s large private sector union, challenging them to stop what it claimed...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-canadian-pilots-unions-clash-over-cargojet-and-fatigue-rules

Hong Kong relaxes COVID rules for cargo pilots

A white 747 jumbo jet with a green tail operated by Cathay Pacific Cargo sits on a wet tarmac.

The government of Hong Kong announced Friday it has loosened requirements for Hong Kong-based aircrews to quarantine after returning home from duty, removing a major operational burden for all-cargo airlines such as Cathay Pacific and FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX).

The mandate for crews operating freighters and cargo-only passenger aircraft to segregate will be lifted for pilots and other onboard personnel who are fully vaccinated, the government said. The new policy excludes aircrews that layover...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/hong-kong-relaxes-covid-rules-for-cargo-pilots

Xwing completes landmark unmanned flight with Cessna aircraft

A propeller plane sits in the parking lot of a general aviation airport.

Xwing, a startup company developing technologies for self-flying aircraft, announced Thursday it has completed what it called the world’s first fully autonomous demonstration flight of a commercial cargo aircraft from gate to gate. The Cessna Grand Caravan 208 pulled away from Xwing’s hangar in Concord, California, taxied, took off, landed and returned to the gate entirely on its own.

The flight, which took place in February, was remotely monitored from the hangar’s mission control center.

Xwing...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/xwing-completes-landmark-unmanned-flight-with-cessna-aircraft

Western Global Airlines’ pilots join union

A white jet with three engines comes in for landing with wheels down against blue sky.

The National Mediation Board on Tuesday certified the Air Line Pilots Association as the bargaining representative for the 180 pilots of all-cargo carrier Western Global Airlines. The pilots were previously unrepresented.

Sixty-nine percent of those participating had voted in favor of joining the world’s largest pilot union.

Western Global Airlines, based in Estero, Florida,  is a 6-year-old company that flies aircraft under contract to airlines and logistics companies. Its fleet consists of...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/western-global-airlines-pilots-join-union

Kalitta Air pilots ratify four-year contract

A white jumbo jet with burnt orange trim.

Kalitta Air pilots on Tuesday ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, which the Air Line Pilots Association says significantly improves retirement benefits and working conditions.

The four-year labor contract covers more than 800 pilots with the Ypsilanti, Michigan-based airline. The previous contract became amendable on Dec. 20.

“After one year of negotiations amidst the pandemic and related changes to the nature of bargaining, Kalitta Air pilots now have a contract that maintains their...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/kalitta-air-pilots-ratify-four-year-contract

Hong Kong quarantine disrupts FedEx, Cathay Pacific crews and cargo

FedEx aircraft, white with blue tails, parked at airport.

A new Hong Kong requirement for arriving pilots to quarantine for 14 days has spurred FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX) to relocate pilots to San Francisco and Cathay Pacific to warn of severe capacity cuts for cargo and passenger flights. 

FedEx is giving pilots and their families the option to relocate to San Francisco after Hong Kong authorities revealed plans for 14-day hotel quarantines on city-based air crews to contain a wave of new COVID-19 infections, the South China Morning Post reported. The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/hong-kong-quarantine-disrupts-fedex-cathay-pacific-crews-and-cargo

FAA endorses Moderna COVID vaccine for pilots

Inside a cockpit simulator.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Saturday gave commercial pilots and air traffic controllers the green light to take Moderna Inc.’s (NASDQ: MRNA) COVID-19 vaccine, eliminating the possibility those who take the new drug might violate their medical certifications.

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Moderna’s vaccine for public use on an emergency basis and the FAA quickly moved to endorse usage for two groups of essential transportation workers, as it did a week ago...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/faa-endorses-moderna-covid-vaccine-for-pilots

FAA clears pilots to receive Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Pilots in cockpit looking out at sky, ground below..

The Federal Aviation Administration on Saturday determined that commercial pilots and air traffic controllers subject to FAA medical clearance may receive Pfizer Inc.’s (NYSE: PFE) newly approved COVID-19 vaccine.

The Food and Drug Administration Friday night authorized the vaccine’s public use on an emergency basis after an extensive review of its safety and ability to protect against the virus, which has claimed nearly 300,000 lives in the U.S.

The Air Line Pilots Association earlier this week...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/faa-clears-pilots-to-receive-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine

Freight interests, pilots press for priority vaccinations

Black man wearing a face mask stands in front of white cab.

Freight transportation groups and airline pilots on Thursday asked the Senate Commerce Committee to use its influence to ensure they receive priority access to new COVID-19 vaccines because of their essential role keeping the economy moving.

Eleven organizations, including the American Trucking Associations, said immunizing truck drivers, longshoremen, engineers and other transportation workers is critical to minimize supply chain disruptions and delays in vaccine distribution.

“Ensuring vaccine...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/freight-interests-pilots-press-for-priority-vaccinations

Soaring US Covid infections disrupt peak capacity supply chains

Concern is mounting about supply chain disruption from the rising number of Covid-19 infections in the US, just as the air cargo industry is getting ready to play a key role in the distribution of vaccines.
These worries are most pronounced around air cargo flows, but other modes are also giving cause for concern.
A spate of cancelled transpacific cargo flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has highlighted the problem. According …

The post Soaring US Covid infections disrupt peak...

https://theloadstar.com/soaring-us-covid-infections-disrupt-peak-capacity-supply-chains/

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