Nigeria has fined British Airways $135 million and Virgin Atlantic $100 million for:

“. . . for abuse of a dominant position, fixing prices, abusing fuel surcharges and taking advantage of passengers. . .”

Apparently Nigeria can’t resist acting like the stereotype of an African country.  What this is about is Nigeria wanting its flag airline, Arik Air, to do better financially and to compete on the same level as those two world class airlines.  Let me point out that right now you could pick any one of the US based SuperLegacy airlines and discover that they, too, would have trouble competing with the services provided by those two airlines. 

Airlines have long been the source of national pride for nations and particularly so in Africa.  And when they find they cannot compete effectively, they decide to blame it on the Imperialists.  I take note that that isn’t limited to Africa.  India is engaged in the same shennanigans with European airlines in an effort to protect their flag airline, Air India. 

Why?  Because those governments can’t stand looking their own citizens in the eye and telling them that competing means operating efficiently and effectively like the rest of the world.  Instead, they preserve the airlines at any cost in order to preserve what are perceived to be high profile jobs for their citizens. 

Rather than pay those extortionate fines, I would suggest that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic withdraw their services to Nigeria and prevail upon the British government to withdraw landing rights to Arik Air at any airport within the UK borders.  This is a case of “they need us more than we need them” in my humble opinion.

Filed under: Airline News by ajax
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The NMB (National Mediation Board) has reviewed the 2010 union election at Delta for flight attendants and determined that Delta did not interfere illegally in the election.  Flight attendants there rejected the AFA (Association of Flight Attendants) as a representing union by a large enough margin and under the new rules requiring that only cast votes be counted.

What’s that mean?  Well, for one thing, former Northwest Airlines flight attendants get a raise and better work rules in the non-union shop.  Ironic, no?

Will there be another election?  I suspect we’ll see another attempt in 12 to 18 months because the AFA is able to get enough traction to force these votes. 

Will it ever succeed?  Only if Delta takes it eyes off the ball and stops treating its employees in some of the best ways the industry has experienced.  In other words, it isn’t likely to.  In fact, the flight attendants from Northwest are generally older and more senior and more likely to fade in numbers over the next decade.

Unions can be good and powerful forces for employees but how relevant are they when the company simply continues to do the right thing?

Filed under: Airline News by ajax
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