HONOLULU –- Hawaiian Airlines announced today that members of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) have ratified a new three-year contract covering the airline's 794 flight attendants.
Trustee Joshua Gotbaum commented, “Once again, Hawaiian's flight attendants have pulled together to help their airline move forward. The flight attendants are making sure that Hawaiian Airlines will exit Chapter 11 and show the world why they are the best in the business.”
Five of Hawaiian's six labor unions have now ratified new three-year contracts with the airline covering 89 percent of its unionized employees.
Four unions had already ratified new three-year contracts that were negotiated with the airline: the Clerical and Mechanics units of the International Association of Machinists (IAM), the Transport Workers Union, and the Network Engineering Group.
Hawaiian has also negotiated an agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) covering its 298 pilots. The union is expected to conduct its ratification process next week.
On March 10, the bankruptcy court approved the joint plan of reorganization submitted by Trustee Gotbaum, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (the airline's parent company), and Hawaiian's Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, subject to ratification by flight attendants and pilots.
“Ratification of all new agreements is necessary for Hawaiian to exit bankruptcy. Five of six have now ratified and the last one will be out for ratification next week,” Gotbaum said.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines, the nation's number one on-time carrier, is recognized as one of the best airlines in America. Readers of two prominent national travel magazines, Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, have both rated Hawaiian as the top domestic airline serving Hawaii in their most recent rankings, and the fifth best domestic airline overall.
Celebrating its 76th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaii's biggest and longest-serving airline, and the second largest provider of passenger air service between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities than any other airline. Hawaiian also provides approximately 100 daily jet flights among the Hawaiian Islands, as well as service to Australia, American Samoa and Tahiti.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (AMEX and PCX: HA). Since the appointment of a bankruptcy trustee in May 2003, Hawaiian Holdings has had no responsibility for the management of Hawaiian Airlines and has had limited access to information concerning the airline. Additional information is available at www.HawaiianAir.com.