Pilot union BALPA has called off a one-day strike by its British Airways members on 27 September, but is warning that further industrial action Is still possible unless the airline undertakes meaningful new negotiations. The union says it called off the strike in order to allow for a period of reflection, and to prevent the dispute escalating to the point of causing "irreparable damage" to BA's brand. Previous industrial action that took place on 9-10 September led to the cancellation of nearly all BA flights and caused significant customer disruption. Having "demonstrated the anger and resolve of pilots", BALPA says it hopes that BA will now change its approach and negotiate seriously to end the dispute. "Someone has to take the initiative to sort out this dispute and with no sign of that from BA the pilots have decided to take the responsible course. In a genuine attempt at establishing a time out for common sense to prevail, we have lifted the threat of the strike on 27 September," states BALPA general secretary Brian Strutton. "BA passengers rightly expect BA and its pilots to resolve their issues without disruption and now is the time for cool heads and pragmatism to be brought to bear. I hope BA and its owner IAG show as much responsibility as the pilots." BALPA says that in the absence of meaningful new negotiations it retains the right to announce further strikes.

Source: FlightGlobal

South African carrier Comair has detailed the expected benefit on its full-year financial results following settlement of an anti-competitiveness case against South African Airways. The carrier had entered into a final settlement deal under which SAA would pay just over R1.1 billion ($74.3 million) plus interest, with a payment schedule commencing on 28 February this year. Comair says the agreement will result in full-year earnings per share of 192.4 cents on 30 June 2019 which is 175% higher than the 69.8 cents figure generated at the end of the 2017-18 financial year. “The increases are a direct consequence of the award [from the SAA case],” says the carrier, adding that the overall effects will be disclosed in its final full-year results. Comair was originally awarded the sum in early 2017, the culmination of a case which had been started 16 years ago. It had alleged in 2003 that SAA had engaged in exclusionary practices by rewarding travel agents in order to retain loyalty.

Source: FlightGlobal

Delta Air Lines is investing $2 million to research the feasibility of developing biofuel products from forest floor debris in an effort to improve sustainability, the airline says on 17 September. The study, which the Atlanta-based carrier is conducting with Northwest Advanced Bio-fuels (NWABF) in Washington State, comes as the broader airline industry eyes ambitious carbon-reduction goals. Delta expects its project will be complete by mid-2020, when it will evaluate next steps. The airline says sustainable aviation fuel made from wood residue and forest debris could be used in Delta operations in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles. It could be delivered as soon as 2023. Delta says it is studying alternative fuels as a means to help reach a goal of reducing carbon emissions 50% by 2050.
The broader aviation industry has committed to similar goals under an ICAO-led framework called the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. That effort calls for the airline industry to cap carbon output at 2020 levels and to cut emissions to half of 2005 levels by 2050. Some industry observers, citing the projected expansion of air travel, have raised doubt about the industry's ability to meet that goal. If successful, Delta's biofuel project could provide about 10% of its annual jet fuel consumption in the West Coast and serve as a blueprint for future projects, the airline says. Several US airlines, including United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Airways, are likewise exploring means to make air travel more environmentally friendly.

Source: FlightGlobal