Airlines

SWISS airline cabin crew to get pay rises of up to 18%

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and kapers, the union of its cabin personnel, have reached agreement after robust negotiations on the cornerstones of a new collective labour agreement (CLA). The accord, which follows agreements with the company’s social partners for its ground and cockpit personnel, marks a further major achievement for all the parties involved.

One key element in the new CLA23 is the substantial across-the-board increases to cabin staff salaries. With effect from 1 January 2023, the monthly starting salary will be raised to CHF 4,000, and existing salaries will be increased by at least four per cent for all salary levels. The highest increases here will be seen with cabin crew members in the lower salary categories; but long-serving cabin staff, too, will see a sizeable rise in their monthly salaries.

Cabin crew members will also benefit from actions to enhance the plannability of their social lives, particularly through the earlier publication of their monthly rosters, under the new CLA23. And agreement has further been reached on the adoption of new part-time employment models, including a ‘Study & Fly’ model that should provide students with greater flexibility. All in all, the improvements agreed under CLA23 will cost SWISS some CHF 100 million in additional investment over the next five years.

Reto Schmid, Head of Cabin Crew: “After some very tough negotiations, I am all the more delighted that we have reached agreement on a new CLA that delivers significant benefits for all our cabin crew members, in terms of both their remuneration and the plannability of their private lives.”

The full provisions of the new CLA23 will be fleshed out between now and the end of this year. The proposed new agreement will then be put to kapers members for their referendum approval.

Airlines

KLM Begins Testing Self Driving Crew Buses at Schiphol Airport

In a significant step towards modernizing airport operations, Schiphol Airport has launched the second phase of its trial for electric self-driving buses.

This initiative, in collaboration with KLM Cityhopper and KLM Ground Services, is aimed at enhancing efficiency and sustainability at one of Europe’s busiest airports. Following a successful initial trial with the self-driving buses from supplier Ohmio, the new phase is now underway.

This phase focuses on deploying the autonomous buses on a fixed, pre-programmed route that connects the apron to the terminal. The primary users of this service are the KLM Cityhopper crew, who will benefit from a streamlined shuttle between their aircraft and the terminal. best cabin crew skytrax

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The trial’s first phase centered on assessing the technical capabilities and user-friendliness of the buses. Now, the focus shifts to the apron—a bustling area characterized by high activity levels, including aircraft movements and ground handling operations. The autonomous buses will navigate this complex environment multiple times a day, ferrying KLM Cityhopper crew from Apron A to the terminal.

Equipped with advanced sensors, cameras, and GPS, the buses are designed to handle the dynamic conditions of the apron. They feature LIDAR technology, providing a comprehensive 360-degree view that enables them to detect and avoid obstacles up to 30 meters away. This cutting-edge technology ensures safe and efficient operation in the busy airport setting.

Schiphol Airport is committed to becoming one of the world’s most sustainable and high-quality airports by 2050. A core component of this vision is the transition to a fleet of autonomous, zero-emission vehicles.

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This shift is part of a broader strategy to automate ground operations while maintaining a vital human presence in a supervisory role. By doing so, Schiphol aims to reduce emissions and enhance the overall efficiency of its operations.

The integration of self-driving buses into the airport’s daily operations represents a major milestone in achieving these sustainability goals. As the trial progresses, Schiphol, KLM Cityhopper, and KLM Ground Services will continue to evaluate and refine the technology, paving the way for a more automated and environmentally friendly future in aviation ground services.