AFA-CWA Responds to Abrupt Shutdowns of Two Carriers

ATA Airlines today announced it was discontinuing all operations, just hours after filing for bankruptcy, and AFA-CWA flight attendant leaders immediately went into action, putting together a detailed plan to assist the more than 750 AFA-CWA flight attendants at the carrier.

Meanwhile, AFA-CWA condemned the refusal of a Hawaii bankruptcy court to block Aloha Airlines' plan to shut down its passenger operations and lay off hundreds of employees, including 350 AFA-CWA flight attendants.

"There are few words right now that express our sadness and anger at this deplorable situation," said AFA-CWA President Patricia Friend. "The utter disregard that Aloha management and the bankruptcy court have shown for Aloha's loyal and devoted employees is unconscionable. For ATA flight attendants, we will do everything in our power to see to it that the rights of our ATA members are protected in bankruptcy court."

AFA-CWA's legal team, employee assistance representatives and other volunteers from across the union are moving into place to assist ATA flight attendants and making sure they have access to all available resources, just as the union has done for members affected by the Aloha Airlines bankruptcy filing.

At Aloha, AFA-CWA will continue to represent the flight attendants through the bankruptcy process and will participate in the deliberations of the creditor's committee; AFA-CWA was appointed a member of that committee by the U.S. Trustee. 

"We remain focused on helping our members and their families navigate through this difficult time," Friend said. "Among AFA-CWA's first members, Aloha flight attendants have helped to shape our union as we know it today and we will be forever grateful. We will continue to rally around our fellow members and provide them all the support they need, as the story of Aloha flight attendants must be told and preserved."