Tag Archives: Cape Air

Teamsters file lawsuit against Cape Air and Republic Airways

The Teamsters have filed a lawsuit against Republic Airways and Cape Air for unlawfully requiring pilots to sign employment contracts with non-compete clauses that impose penalties ranging from $100,000 to $250,000.

The lawsuit asserts the employment contracts are an attempt by the airlines to change pilots’ working conditions unilaterally, in violation of federal labor law under the Railway Labor Act. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

“The contracts that pilots at these two companies are forced to sign as a condition of employment are unlawful and we fully expect to win in court,” said Josh LeBlanc, President of Teamsters Local 357 and a Republic Airways pilot. “These punishing non-compete agreements are not a solution for the labor supply problem that these employers created of their own accord.”

The non-compete clauses that the companies are forcing on pilots require them to work at Republic Airways for a minimum of two years. In addition to the financial penalties, the pilots are barred from flying professionally for up to a year.

“If these companies are having a hard time recruiting pilots, then they should do what nearly every other airline has done in a competitive job market – increase wages and benefits,” said Joe Muckle, President of Teamsters Local 1224. “Trying to retain professional pilots by handcuffing them with bogus contracts is illegal and bad business, which is why no other airline is doing this. The Teamsters will fight this with the full force of our union.”

Eviation signs deal with Cape Air for 75 all-electric Alice commuter aircraft

Eviation Aircraft and Massachusetts-based Cape Air, one of the largest commuter airlines in the United States, have announced a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the purchase of 75 all-electric Alice commuter aircraft.

With this engagement, Cape Air aims to set up an unparalleled regional electric fleet, taking a pioneering step into the sustainable era of aviation.

Eviation’s all-electric Alice aircraft can accommodate nine passengers and two crew. Cape Air flies more than 400 regional flights a day to nearly 40 cities in the Northeast, Midwest, Montana and the Caribbean. Deploying a fleet of all-electric Alice aircraft will significantly reduce carbon emissions, as well as maintenance and operational costs for the airline, and provide a smoother and quieter flight experience for passengers.

The Eviation Alice is the world’s leading fully electric aircraft, designed to fly 440 nautical miles on a single charge and has maximum cruise speed of 250 knots. Alice will operate in all environments currently serviced by piston and turbine aircraft. The advanced electric motors have fewer moving parts to increase reliability and reduce maintenance costs. Alice’s operating software constantly monitors flight performance to ensure optimal efficiency.

Cape Air flight 2072 crash lands at Provincetown

Cape Air flight 2072 with a Cessna 402 with seven people on board skidded off the end of the runway at Provincetown, MA on September 9 and ended up in a wooded area.

The aircraft caught on fire. Some passengers received broken bones and burns.

The airline issued this statement:

Cape Air confirms an incident involving Flight 2072 traveling from Boston Logan International on September 9 to Provincetown Airport. Upon landing at Provincetown Airport, the plane exited the runway. Six passengers and one crew member were onboard.

Cape Air confirms that all six passengers and one crew from Flight 2072 are being transferred by ambulance to Cape Cod Hospital.

More on the accident:

https://www.wcvb.com/article/provincetown-airport-race-point-road-crash-hard-landing-six-hurt/37532594

Cape Air to start flying to Nashville in January

Cape Air is adding new routes to Nashville, TN starting in January 2020.

Cape Air, the nation’s largest commuter airline, begins service between Owensboro, KY, and Nashville, TN, starting Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

 

Cape Air will operate 2 daily, year-round flights between Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB) and Nashville International Airport (BNA).

The airline will continue to offer 1 daily flight between OWB and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL).

The carrier will also begin service between Marion, IL, and Nashville, TN, starting Wednesday, January 29, 2020. Cape Air is set to operate 2 flights on weekdays between Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (MWA) and Nashville International Airport (BNA).  On weekends, Cape Air operates 1 flight per day between MWA and BNA.

The airline will use the 9-seat Tecnam P2012 Traveller aircraft on both routes.

All photos by the airline.

Cape Air to provide daily service to Portland from Boston, takes delivery of a new type

Cape Air will begin offering year round service between Boston Logan International Airport and Portland International Jetport, effective September 18, 2019. Four daily round-trips will connect the major cities making travel for both business and leisure faster and more efficient.

As a jetBlue partner, Cape Air’s new daily service in Portland will enable area travelers to tap into the Jet Blue network throughout the year. Additional airline relationships provide passengers with added convenience and flexibility when connecting to over 500 flights and 100 additional markets, from Cape Air’s Boston hub.

Daily roundtrip service will be aboard Cape Air’s Cessna 402, which is a nine passenger, twin-engine aircraft. Cape Air currently offers daily flights from Boston to Augusta, Bar Harbor and Rockland, Maine.

In other news, Cape Air has taken delivery of first two P2012 Traveller aircraft:

The acceptance of the aircraft, P2012 msn 003 and P2012 msn 004, took place from July 16 to July 18, 2019 at Tecnam Headquarters – Capua, in the presence of Cape Air Senior Vice President, Fleet Planning & Acquisitions, Jim Goddard, and Tecnam Chief Operating Officer, Giovanni Pascale.

Pilots and technicians from Cape Air had two days to inspect the aircraft, check all manuals and documents, and perform flight testing. The inspections were performed in the P2012 Production Facility, where other fuselages to be delivered to Cape Air are in stages of completion.

Acceptance of the aircraft is the last milestone before final delivery. A ferry flight from Capua, Italy to the Cape Air base in Hyannis, MA will be performed by Giovanni Pascale himself as Pilot in Command.

Powered by two 375 HP turbo-charged Lycoming engines, the Tecnam P2012 Traveller features a modern design and state-of-the-art equipment. The aircraft’s simple and easily accessed airframe and systems, fixed landing gear, robust interiors and easy-to-replace parts, result in high efficiency and low maintenance costs. These attributes, and many more, make it the ideal aircraft for regional airlines such as Cape Air. As part of the delivery, Tecnam also included Bose A20 headsets and Jeppesen bags for the pilots. These were much appreciated.

Eviation announces its first commercial customer, Cape Air, for its all-electric airplane, Alice

Eviation Aircraft Ltd. made this announcement:

Today in a live streamed press conference from the Paris Air Show, Eviation Aircraft, a global manufacturer of all-electric aircraft, announced the first commercial customer for its all-electric Alice airplane, Cape Air. With a fleet of 92 nine-seater airplanes, Cape Air is one of the largest regional airlines in the U.S., and has a double-digit purchase option for Alice. It will incorporate Eviation’s Alice nine-seater planes into its existing fleet, offering flyers in the U.S. an unparalleled flying experience.

Today regional travel in the U.S. is on the rise, with an increase in consumers flying short distances between 50 to 650 miles. This growing segment offers the ideal scenario for Eviation’s all-electric Alice, which aims to undercut the cost of travel by making middle mile trips cheaper, faster and cleaner. The shift to electric will reduce operating costs, eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, make air travel more affordable and connect communities like never before.

With the goal of making regional air travel accessible for all, Eviation designed Alice to create a new flying experience for passengers that is cleaner, quieter and cost-effective. Inspired by the new design possibilities that emerged by replacing turbine engines with all-electric motors, Eviation and its team have reimagined what sleek, stylish and cost-effective air mobility can be with the introduction of the first zero-emission aircraft. Eviation’s Alice leverages an IP portfolio that includes innovations in thermal management and autonomous landing, as well as distributed electric propulsion, industry-leading battery technology and cutting-edge composite body frames, capable of flying with nine passengers at 240 knots to a range of up to 650 miles on a single charge.

Following test flights this year and certification in 2021, Eviation will begin shipping the aircraft for commercial use in 2022.

In other news, Cape Air has added this Cessna 208B Grand Caravan with floats to its fleet.

Photo: Cape Air.

Cape Air and Mountain Air Cargo announce new pilot pathway program

Cape Air and Mountain Air Cargo (MAC) announce a new Pilot Hiring Pathway Program that allows pilots from both airlines to transition between the two companies in order to gain valuable flight hours and experience. The Program is designed to assist MAC and Cape Air in the selection, training, and growth of potential new hire pilots, and to provide a designated career Pathway for selected candidates. This unique Pathway provides an opportunity for Cape Air pilots to transition into the ATR aircraft at MAC as a direct entry Captain to gain Pilot in Command (PIC) turbine time, and for MAC Caravan pilots to gain PIC multi-engine flight time as a Captain at  Cape Air.

Applicants who meet the program requirements, and are accepted into the pathway, can then transition to MAC as direct entry ATR Captains. Candidates must have 1,000 flight hours at Cape Air exercising their ATP and have completed their Cape Air Captain commitment specified in their offer letter. Pilots will be hired and paid as an ATR Captain but will serve as Second in Command (SIC) on the ATR until gaining 200 hours of flight time prior to acting as PIC. Candidates accepted into the Program from MAC, are required to serve as Captain for 12 months at MAC as a Cessna 208 Captain, or ATR pilot after completion of Operation Experience (OE). Once that commitment is filled they can then transition to Cape Air as a Captain.

Pilots in the Program will keep their actual longevity for pay and vacation accrual as they transition from one airline to the other, as applicable. The pilots who transition to MAC from Cape Air, qualify to apply for the Fed Ex Purple Runway Program after six months of employment at Mountain Air Cargo.

Visit www.capeairpilots.com for more information on this exciting new pilot pathway.

Cape Air Route Map:

About Cape Air- Now in its 29th year, Cape Air is one of the largest independent regional airlines in the United States, serving 35 cities in the US and Caribbean. The employee-owned company, based in Hyannis, Massachusetts, has grown from three flights a day between Provincetown and Boston in 1989 to a fleet of 92 aircraft, 400 flights a day and service to 500,000 passengers annually. Cape Air has been recognized as “One of the Top Ten Small Airlines in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler.
 About Mountain Air Cargo- Headquartered in Denver, NC. Mountain Air Cargo, Inc. (MAC) is an express cargo carrier providing flight and maintenance services in the eastern half of the U.S. and the Caribbean Islands. Established since 1982, our pilots operate 35 FedEx Cessna Caravans and 18 FedEx ATRs on 100 daily scheduled flights under part 121 and 135. We have pilots and mechanics based in over 50 cities.

All photos by the airlines.

Cape Air and Spirit Airlines announce Cape Air-Spirit Jetway Program

Cape Air and Spirit Airlines are pleased to announce the Cape Air-Spirit Jetway Program specifically designed for today’s aspiring pilots. The program is a defined career pathway designed to create a faster and more streamlined approach for pilots looking to transition from a regional carrier to a major airline.

Pilots are eligible to join the Cape Air team with as little as 500 flight hours, and fly as a First Officer for the nation’s largest independent regional carrier. Once ATP minimums are reached, the pilot will then upgrade to Captain for Cape Air and fly for a minimum of two years. Once the candidate has reached 3,000 hours, they will complete a jet transition course at Spirit Airlines Training Center and then be assigned a class date at Spirit Airlines.

“Our pilots are known industry-wide for their hands-on flying and aeronautical decision making skills making this partnership a win-win for both parties. Our commitment to safety, our communities, employees and our passengers is always at the forefront of everything we do. We are thrilled to partner with Spirit on this exciting new pathway, and we look forward to growing our pilot bases and nurturing the next generation of pilots for years to come,” said Linda Markham, Cape Air president.

“Spirit Airlines is proud to be partnering with Cape Air as we remain committed to connecting with and recruiting the best aviators in the industry,” said Ryan Rodosta, Spirit Airlines’ Chief Pilot.  “There is no doubt this innovative program will help us maintain a skilled and robust pilot workforce for years to come.”

The Cape Air-Spirit Jetway Program is open to all current and future Cape Air pilots. Candidates will have only one joint interview with both Cape Air and Spirit. Once the pilot is accepted into the program, a Spirit mentor will be assigned. Unlike most pilot pathways, candidates are not required to have a higher education degree. A two-year or four-year degree is preferred, but not required.

Pilots flying for Part 121 Operators, such as Spirit, face a mandatory retirement age of 65, while pilots flying for Part 135 Operators, like Cape Air, have no mandatory retirement age, only the ability to maintain a First Class Medical. Cape Air’s Gray Gull Program, provides pilots with an opportunity to continue flying past the age of 65. Retired or furloughed Spirit pilots can in turn transition to Cape Air and fly as a Gray Gull. Currently, Cape Air has retired pilots flying from almost every major carrier.

Photos. Cape Air.

Cape Air to fly to New York

Cape Air has made this announcement:

We’re spreading our wings to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport! Beginning on October 23, 2018, we will be offering one daily round-trip between Hyannis and Nantucket to New York’s JFK. This seasonal service will run through mid-May of 2019.

Our NYC connection means Islanders and Cape Codders have access to the Big Apple for fun, business, or domestic and international flight options from JFK. At JFK, we will be located in Terminal 5, which means easy connections with our partner, JetBlue.

New Yorkers who want to get back to ACK for Stroll Weekend, Daffy, Nantucket Wine, or just to visit the Cape & Islands during the beautiful (less crowded!) shoulder season can skip the traffic and ferries for an easy 1 hour and 20 minute flight.

All photos by Cape Air.