Delta, Pilot Union Negotiators Reach Tentative Agreement
Atlanta, April 14, 2006 – Delta Air Lines today confirmed that a tentative agreement has been reached between the negotiators for the company and the Air Line Pilots Association, the collective bargaining representative for Delta’s approximately 6,000 active pilots.
ALPA’s Master Executive Council (MEC), the leadership body of the Delta pilot union, will decide whether to put the tentative agreement before Delta pilots for a vote. In addition to pilot ratification, the agreement is also subject to U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval.
The company is not disclosing details at this time. “We are going to respect the MEC review process,” said Edward H. Bastian, Delta’s executive vice president, chief financial officer and head of the company’s in-court restructuring efforts. “We have worked hard together as a team to forge an agreement that is good for Delta and all of its constituents,” he added.
“Delta passengers can continue to book on Delta with confidence. There has been no disruption to our service. Our pilots are performing professionally, flying as scheduled, and together with all Delta employees, are taking good care of our customers,” emphasized Bastian.
Barring any disruptions, the company is on track to achieve approximately 70 percent of its business plan’s benefits by the end of this year, with the goal of successfully emerging from bankruptcy in 2007.
Delta Air Lines (Other OTC: DALRQ) is one of the world’s fastest growing international carriers with more than 50 new international routes added or announced in the last year. Delta offers flights to 452 destinations in 95 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. In summer 2006, Delta plans to offer customers more destinations and departures between the U.S., Europe, India and Israel than any global airline*, including service on 11 new transatlantic routes from its Atlanta and New York-JFK hubs. Delta also is a major carrier to Mexico, South and Central America and the Caribbean, with more than 35 routes announced, added or applied to serve since Jan. 1, 2005. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
