MONTREAL — Air Transat’s pilots say they’re ready to negotiate and want to be part of the solution following the release of the airline’s Q4 results.

As reported earlier this fall, Air Transat’s pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), are set to start negotiations in January 2025.

Capt. Bradley Small, chair of the Air Transat ALPA Master Executive Council, issued the following statement.

“We are pleased to see that earnings have improved this quarter, which will go a long way toward ensuring the airline’s viability in the short and long term. Transat pilots are a big part of that success in providing safe and on-time travel to our many destinations.

“However, after a challenging 2024 for the airline, we want to remind management of the negative impact of prolonged negotiations with the flight attendants and mechanics. This created uncertainty amongst the public, leading to booking cancellations and a drop in future bookings, which helped create this financial shortfall.

“In the new year, we encourage Air Transat management to work with us to avoid any uncertainty for our passengers, pilots, and airline colleagues by negotiating a long-overdue new collective agreement that reflects Canada’s shifting airline landscape and recognizes that pilots offer a unique, sought-after skillset. Our contribution to the airline’s stability and success and our company’s commitment to reducing pilot fatigue will enable Air Transat to continue its growth strategy by retaining and attracting pilots well into the future.”