Tigerair and pilots in talks amid threat of strike that could disrupt Australian travel plans

TIGERAIR pilots and management are meeting in a bid to avoid industrial action that could hit the travel plans of thousands of Australians.

Tigerair pilots are meeting with airline chief executive Rob Sharp (pictured) and other management. Picture: Stephen Cameron

TIGERAIR pilots and management are meeting today in a bid to avoid industrial action that could play havoc with the travel plans of thousands of Australians and further damage the airline’s reputation.

Pilots last week threatened to stop flying unless demands over rostering and promotion were met, but cancelled a planned strike on Friday after an agreement was reached to meet with chief executive Rob Sharp and other management today in an attempt to secure a last-minute deal.

The Australian Federation of Air Pilots, which represents more than 75 per cent of Tigerair’s 145 pilots, said its members were hopeful of reaching a deal that would satisfy their demands and allow the airline’s services to continue uninterrupted.

“We are hopeful that it does end in an agreed position,” executive director Simon Lutton said.

“We think there is a good chance.”

However, Mr Lutton said members would consider their options if a deal was not reached.

This included strike action, which could cause major disruptions for travellers, with the airline operating up to 400 flights a week between 12 domestic destinations.

The AFAP and Tigerair have been in discussions about a new enterprise bargaining agreement following the expiry of the previous agreement in June.

While an earlier pay dispute has been resolved, the AFAP is seeking more certainty about pilot rosters, including the amount of flexibility the airline has to change them at short notice.

It has threatened a series of open-ended bans, including pilots refusing to fly aircraft with minor defects and bans on overtime.

The negotiations come at a bad time for Tigerair, which is slowly rebuilding its reputation following the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s decision to ground it for four months in 2011 over its safety violations.

In December, it announced a base in Brisbane with two new aircraft, which will result in the creation of 120 jobs.

It is also expanding its route network, launching services between Sydney and Perth in December and is scheduled to begin flights to Darwin and the Whitsunday Coast from April.

However, it remains a relative minnow in Australia’s aviation market, with just 4 per cent market share.

The negotiations are expected to continue all-day, with an outcome likely late in the afternoon.

A Tigerair spokeswoman said last week the airline hoped to be able to avoid industrial action.