Estonian Air (Tallinn) is moving ahead with its restructuring plan. The airline and its pilots have agreed to a new Collective Agreement. The pilots were threatening to strike the company yesterday and the negotiations and now a new contract adverted the strike. However the flag carrier faces major challenges for survival.
The struggling carrier has not made any money since 2006. The airline is downsizing and will rally around a fleet of just Bombardier CRJ900s for the next summer season operating on its most profitable routes.
The airline issued the following statement:
Estonian Air and Estonian Pilots Trade Association (ELA) signed a Collective Agreement which has been confirmed by the Supervisory Board of Estonian Air which had its regular meeting today. The Collective Agreement is valid up till January 31, 2014.
โThe company has signed the Collective Agreement with ELA and from now on the management can carry on the implementation of Estonian Air restructuring,โ commented Erkki Raasuke, the Chairman of Estonian Air Supervisory Council.
โAfter signing the Agreement, Estonian Air is able to focus on its daily operations on passenger servicing,โ said Jan Palmรฉr, the CEO of Estonian Air. โToday we can assure to our customers that all Estonian Air flights are operated according to the schedule.โ
According to Rauno Menning, the Chairman of the Pilots Trade Association, an agreement has been achieved regarding rest and duty times. โThe Collective Agreement will ensure the industrial peace inside the company,โ added Menning.
The Collective Agreement is regulating duty and rest time, working conditions and relations between the airline and the Trade Union.
The provisions of the new Collective Agreement signed by the Pilots Trade Association are extended to all pilots of Estonian Air. The Pilots Trade Association is uniting approximately 80 pilots, out of which 70 are working at Estonian Air.
On 13 December 2012, Estonian Air signed a Collective Agreement with Estonian Air Cabin Crew Union which is valid up till the end of 2013. The Estonian Air Cabin Crew Union is uniting approximately 80 crew members.
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Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren. The aircraft of the future Estonian Air fleet will now only be the pictured CRJ900 according to Airline Route. The new Embraer E-Jets will apparently be phased out, following the same exit as the Boeings. CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) ES-ACB (msn 15261) touches down at Stockholm (Arlanda).
Estonian Air:ย 
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