Pilots at Air Transport International (ATI) have criticised management for allegedly trying to fill vacancies left by "a mass exodus" of pilots by hiring foreign replacements rather than negotiating a pay deal with remaining staff.
“ATI’s visa scheme is not a sustainable path to maintaining, much less growing our staffing levels. Only a market-based pilot contract will attract and retain the pilots needed for ATI to serve its customers,” said Capt. Mike Sterling, chair of the ATI Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), which represents ATI pilots.
ALPA said it "has been in negotiations with management for an updated contract since June 2020 but the delay in reaching an agreement has led to a mass exodus of ATI pilots".
"Of the roughly 550 pilots at ATI, a record 126 left in 2022, and 89 have already left this year as of May 5 2023, for airlines with contracts that offer better pay and quality of life," the union said.