Release #02.078
August 30, 2002

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Champion Air pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), and Champion Air management today reached tentative agreement on a first labor contract. The parties began negotiations in February 1999, and negotiations have been conducted with the assistance of the National Mediation Board since September 2000.

"We believe this tentative agreement is a win-win resolution for the company and its valued pilots," said Michael Gerend, chief executive officer of Champion Air. "The long negotiating process enabled all of us to see in detail the needs of those on both sides of the bargaining table and, I hope, will result in our being even closer partners in the continued success of Champion Air."

"I am pleased that we have reached a tentative agreement that offers Champion Air pilots some improvements in wages, working conditions, and other areas, and also affords our airline the flexibility it needs to grow and prosper in this difficult airline economic environment," said Captain Matthew Marsh, chairman of the Champion Air unit of ALPA. "Most of all, this tentative agreement if approved by the pilot membership, will give us the guaranteed protections of a legal, binding contract."

The contract is subject to ratification by the Champion Air pilots. A series of road shows to explain the new agreement to crewmembers will take place over the next several weeks.

With headquarters in Minneapolis, Champion Air is the largest dedicated provider of charter airlift in the United States. Champion’s pilots fly a fleet of 13 Boeing 727-200 aircraft in support of a wide variety of customers, including professional sports teams, corporations, and major tour package wholesalers.

ALPA is the world's oldest and largest pilots union, representing more than 66,000 members, including Champion Air’s 136 pilots, at 43 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA Website at http://www.alpa.org.

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ALPA Contact: Ron Lovas (703) 481-4440