FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Capt. John Sluys, 253-310-6859/Gregg Overman, 817-302-2250

Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition Supports the Pilots of LATAM Airlines Chile: “Employees Must Also Participate in the Airline’s Recovery”

LONDON, United Kingdom (Nov. 7, 2022) — The Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition (OCCC) voiced its strong support for the Sindicato de Pilotos LATAM (SPL)-represented pilots of LATAM Airlines Chile in their efforts to improve pay and working conditions from their pandemic-driven lockdown levels.

“It is unfortunate that LATAM management continues its bad faith bargaining tactics, particularly given the robust travel demand we’re now experiencing,” said Capt. John Sluys, Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition Chair.

The airline recently acknowledged that “pent-up demand has been driving a faster recovery.” Confirming that rebound, the airline’s December 2022 schedule has been restored to near 2019 levels. Furthermore, the strong recovery results in a forecast of a full-year operating profit for 2023.

“This LATAM pilot group’s overwhelming vote for strike action shows that employees must also participate in the airline’s recovery,” Capt. Sluys said. “The professional pilots of SPL made great sacrifices to get the airline through the difficult times. It is time for management to do the right thing as the company is emerging from the storm.”

Capt. Sluys emphasized that expecting workers to bear the difficulties while others reap the rewards of those sacrifices is unsustainable and that the unity of the pilots’ strike vote reflects the growing attitudes of transport industry workers worldwide.

“The pilots of OCCC-represented airlines are ready to support our colleagues in any way needed at LATAM and around the world,” he said.

The Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition (@OCCCpilots) includes the pilots of Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and SriLankan Airlines.