Aloha Pilots Continue Work to Serve the Hawaiian Islands

HONOLULU, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Aloha Pilots Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) continued its efforts today to help find buyers for the company's operations and support Hawaii's transportation and cargo needs by making a new proposal to assist with continuing operations.

At the airline's request, ALPA offered more expeditious and flexible procedures for retraining pilots for the smaller cargo operation in accordance with their seniority rights. In addition, the pilots offered to substantially reduce the amount of furlough pay to which they're entitled under their collective bargaining agreement. In return, the pilots sought the company's and investor's help in continuing medical coverage for 30 days and reduced rate travel to enable the search for new jobs in a tightening market for pilots. Very few pilot jobs are available in Hawaii and Aloha has more than 300 pilots, most reside on the islands.

Aloha Airlines management announced last weekend that it would cease all passenger operations on March 31, just 10 days after filing for Chapter 11 reorganization, the airline's second bankruptcy in 3 years. While the announcement may spell the end of 61 years of operations for Aloha Airlines, it hasn't deterred Aloha pilots, through their union leaders, from exploring every avenue to assist the Company.

"While the picture is grim, we're not going to stop trying to help the islands and our company," said David Bird, Aloha MEC Chairman. "We will never give up the Aloha spirit," continued Bird.

"The Aloha pilots have always displayed the highest sense of loyalty and support for their company and our union. ALPA will not only defend their contract rights vigorously and represent them in bankruptcy court, we will give everything we can to help them move forward with their lives and careers," said Captain John Prater, ALPA President.

The airline's announcement came as a surprise because management recently continued to explore strategic options including looking for larger aircraft and expanding operations to Asia. Over the past few months, Aloha pilots executed a series of Letters of Agreement in response to management's plans.

Aloha filed first for bankruptcy in 2004, and pilots made concessions to help improve the airline's financial position and attract new investors. The Aloha pilots agreed to a 20 percent pay cut, productivity enhancements, and massive pension and benefit reductions. ALO pilots gave more than $12 million worth of concessions to the airline to support its previous restructuring efforts to ensure Aloha became profitable and a stable airline.

The Air Line Pilots Association, International represents 61,000 airline pilots who fly for 43 airlines in the United States and Canada. Learn more at http://www.alpa.org/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Air Line Pilots Association, International

CONTACT: Doug Baj of Air Line Pilots Association, International,
+1-703-868-5206

Web Site: http://www.alpa.org/

2008-04-04 18:31:15 0328708 PRNEWSWIRE