The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) has intervened in the ongoing wage dispute between Lufthansa and the pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) with unusual force. In a personal letter to Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, IFALPA President Ron Hay criticizes management's decision to suspend all paid leave for VC representatives with immediate effect.
This move, seen as a reaction to the stalled negotiations and deteriorating working conditions, also affects all of the union's safety officers, according to the international association. IFALPA strongly warns that the arbitrary withdrawal of these resources jeopardizes the airline's Safety Management System (SMS) and safety culture. While Lufthansa apparently views the action as part of a collective bargaining dispute, the pilots' association emphasizes that flight safety work is an internationally established practice that must not be exploited for collective bargaining purposes.
Threat to security culture and international standards
In its letter, IFALPA emphasizes that a functioning safety management system (SMS) is fundamentally based on effective cooperation between employers and employees, as well as on respect and trust. The deliberate withdrawal of support for safety experts from among employee representatives weakens this system.
- The measures would contradict the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the EASA regulations.
- Ron Hay accuses Lufthansa management of having removed security resources "punitively," that is, as a form of punishment.
- This constitutes a disregard for the IATA safety charter, which Carsten Spohr signed on behalf of Lufthansa. The association rhetorically questions whether the support of security professionals from a major union is truly considered optional under the SMS regulations. In a system already under considerable pressure following the pandemic, such an escalation could only worsen the situation.
The letter explicitly reminds the Lufthansa CEO of his ultimate responsibility for the safety and security of the entire group. It also refers to the role of the "Accountable Manager," Francesco Sciortino, who is responsible for the SMS (Safety, Security, and Protection) at Lufthansa. IFALPA demands the immediate reinstatement of the paid leave days to ensure the robustness of the safety system and compliance with regulatory obligations. Without the support and voice of employee groups, an authentic and positive safety culture cannot be sustained.
Role of the Cockpit Association as a professional association
The significance of the decision becomes particularly clear when one considers the dual role of the Vereinigung Cockpit (German Airline Pilots' Association). Since its founding in 1969, it has functioned not only as a trade union but also as a professional association.
- More than 100 active pilots contribute their expertise to twelve specialized working groups.
- Their work encompasses critical topics such as fatigue risk management, airspace security, and human-machine interaction.
- The work is carried out in close collaboration with authorities, science and international bodies.
According to VC President Andreas Pinheiro, six times as many Lufthansa pilots are involved in flight safety as in purely unionized work. Therefore, terminating the leave of absence agreement primarily affects the professional expertise that is in the interest of all parties involved – including passengers.
IFALPA, the global voice of pilots, represents over 160.000 members in more than 70 countries. The fact that the Montreal-based umbrella organization is contacting Lufthansa's management directly in Frankfurt underscores concerns about setting a precedent. Internationally, it is standard practice for airlines to support the safety efforts of professional associations. The current confrontation at Lufthansa is therefore being viewed worldwide as a departure from this established understanding. The letter was also copied to Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Michael Niggemann and Hub Manager Francesco Sciortino to emphasize the urgency of the demand to the entire management team.