Pilots Ratify Hawaiian Air Contract

HONOLULU --

The Hawaiian Airlines pilots ratified a new contract, the union announced on Thursday.

The new contract covers 68 months and gives pilots a 15 percent to 22 percent increase over the life of the contract, the Air Line Pilots Association said.

Of the 90 percent of Hawaiian Air 418 pilots who voted, 83 agreed to the deal, ALPA said.

"It rewards our pilots for their repeated sacrifices over the years on behalf of Hawaiian, and positions our company for future success well into this new decade," said Capt. Eric Sampson, of ALPA.

The agreement allows Hawaiian to acquire or code share with a "turboprop feeder airline" if the carrier does not compete with the airline's existing turbojet operation.

The union had threatened to strike several months ago. ALPA declared an impasse in negotiations and asked a federal mediator to allow it out of the talks in October.

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