First assessment of the stability and reward system

The 2015 summer season was the first one with the new increased stability and reward system for flight crew in place. A first quick evaluation looks mostly positive for the majority of us, as outlined below:

• Last minute roster changes were significantly lower than previous years, resulting in a positive impact on our “work-life balance”.
• Some unforeseen situations turned out to be in our favour.
• The delays in the delivery of our B767 and the Brazzaville operations created a better than foreseen crew ratio during most of the summer.

Winter season has its own particularities, when it comes to roster stability for several reasons:

• Less “temporary contract pilots” are available.  These pilots are still in the old system with “open rosters” or S12, creating more flexibility.
• How severe will the winter be this year? How many times will the winter conditions create “exceptional circumstances”?
• What will be the impact on the system once the new FTL are in place?

All these factors need to be monitored and are important for the evaluation of the new system.

Decrease in winter operations

The tragic geo-political events that occurred recently, such as the attacks in Paris, Egypt and earlier in Tunisia, will impact on the company’s performance. The outlook for the bookings this winter and next summer are considerably lower than expected:

• Flights to Tunisia and SSH, two top winter destinations, are still cancelled.
• Plans for the new bases in France, LYS and NTE, look uncertain.
• The foreseen expansion with 4 more airplanes for next year is uncertain.
• Canada operations this winter are different than previous years. Due to Canadian regulations, no contract pilots are accepted to fly on Canadian registered airplanes this winter. Operating in Canada has therefore been very challenging for our company this year. As a result, the aircraft remain on OO- registration  and captains keep their Belgian contract and will fly with Thomsonfly F/Os, due to arrangements at TUI group level.

Operations in Africa

One aircraft is operational for Brazzaville operations, but the second aircraft has been delayed for an undetermined period of time.

Four cases of malaria amongst Jetairfly crew were reported. May we remind all of those concerned to be careful. Anti-mosquito spray remains the best protection.

Fatigue and safety management

Some positive developments have to be stressed. One union representative will be part of the FSAG and the company accepted to organise a survey. The safety manager assured that the results will be treated confidentially in his department. We therefore urge all crew members to respond to this survey when it is available.

Delphine Saive, Vice-President Jetairfly