Oakdale’s Big Moment: 3,000 Machinists Poised to Decide the Fate of the Pratt & Whitney Strike

What happens when jet-engine builders trade their wrenches for ballots? On May 27, 2025, roughly 3,000 machinists represented by IAM Local Lodge 1746 will gather at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut, to vote on a “tentative agreement” that could finally bring an end to a three-week strike that has rattled Pratt & Whitney’s factories and rippled through the aerospace supply chain.

Strike’s Backstory: From Breakdown to Breakthrough

• Strike called: Machinists walked off the job on May 5, 2025 after rejecting an earlier contract offer, citing inadequate job security, wages, and retirement benefits.
• Production impact: The walkout disrupted manufacturing of engines for the F-35 fighter jet and the Airbus A320neo; Pratt reassigned engineers to assembly lines to keep some output flowing.
• Economic ripple: Workers began receiving $200 weekly strike pay from their union—often falling short of day-to-day needs—and some dipped into personal savings or state health exchanges.

Negotiations Reignite: Late-Night Talks and Momentum

After nearly three weeks on the picket line, both sides returned to the table on May 22, 2025. By 1:00 AM on May 23, negotiators announced they’d hammered out a revised contract offer that “addressed key points of interest among union members”. IAM leadership praised the elected bargaining committee for working “hard around the clock” to secure meaningful gains in job, wage, and retirement security”.

What’s on the Table? Key Highlights of the New Proposal

• 18.6% total compensation bump over three years, encompassing wages, bonuses, and retirement benefits.
• 4% immediate wage increase upon ratification—putting extra dollars in workers’ pockets right away.
• $5,000 ratification bonus paid once the contract is approved.
• Enhanced pension provisions and 401(k) improvements, designed to strengthen long-term retirement security.

These terms mark a significant leap from the prior offer—but are they enough to meet the machinists’ demands?

The Big Day: May 27 at Toyota Oakdale Theatre

• When: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
• Doors open: 8:30 a.m.
• Meeting starts: 10:00 a.m.
• Where: Toyota Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT
• Who votes: All IAM Local 1746 members “eligible under our bylaws”

Union and company statements alike are urging strong turnout. “Your voice matters,” the IAM bulletin read, imploring members to “keep the lines strong” ahead of the vote.

Voices from the Front Lines

“This new proposal has significant changes in all three core areas,” said IAM Local Lodge 1746. “On May 27, our members will decide if we achieved our objectives around job security, wage security, and retirement security.” 

“We believe this agreement reflects industry-leading compensation,” stated Jill Vichi, Pratt & Whitney’s VP & Chief HR Officer. “Our teams worked diligently to address the union’s key concerns.” 

Why This Matters

• A blueprint for future labor talks: In an industry where highly skilled tradespeople are in short supply, this outcome could set precedents on bargaining power and contract norms.
• Ripple effects: Disruption in engine production can cascade into delivery delays for airlines worldwide, especially for the F-35 fighter and A320neo fleets.
• Local economy: Connecticut lawmakers are eyeing legislation on strike-related unemployment benefits; the outcome here could influence those debates.

What’s Next?

Should the membership ratify the agreement, machinists will return to work under the new contract, ending the strike just shy of its fourth week. A “no” vote, however, would plunge both sides back into negotiations—potentially prolonging the walkout and its strain on production and workers’ livelihoods.

Stay Tuned! The aerospace world—and Wallingford’s Oakdale Theatre—will be watching on May 27. Will the final ballot bring engines—and workers—back to life? Only the machinists’ votes will tell.

With Inputs from AeroTime

Imagine a market where global aerospace titans—from Airbus to Pratt & Whitney—keep coming back for more. That’s India today. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha recently revealed that global OEMs are sourcing over USD 2 billion worth of aerospace components and services from India each year, underscoring the country’s fast-evolving role in the global supply chain. But how did India transform from a price-sensitive manufacturing base into a thriving aerospace hub?

From Components to Complete Overhaul: India’s Expanding Portfolio

The $2 Billion Supply Story

What started with niche parts—fasteners, brackets, electronic units—has blossomed into a full-spectrum supply chain. India’s skilled workforce and competitive costs attracted names like Collins Aerospace and Rolls-Royce, which have ramped up orders to mitigate Western supply-chain bottlenecks.

MRO: A New Frontier

Beyond parts, India is fast becoming an MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) powerhouse. Airlines can tap domestic MRO facilities to cut turn-around times and costs, while creating high-skilled jobs. Sinha highlights that bringing more maintenance work onshore not only lowers expenses for carriers but also deepens India’s service capabilities.

Why Now? The Perfect Storm in Indian Aviation

Sky-High Demand

India is on track to be the third-largest civil aviation market globally, thanks to a rising middle class and affordable airfare. Carriers like IndiGo and Air India have placed record aircraft orders—over 1,200 jets combined—to meet ballooning passenger loads.

Pandemic Bounce-Back and Beyond

Post-pandemic recovery has been swift: 2024 witnessed a 30% jump in domestic traffic compared to 2019. This resurgence compelled OEMs to diversify their sourcing, and India’s engineering prowess came into focus. Local firms such as Hical Technologies and JJG Aero have seen revenues soar, buoyed by international contracts.

Scaling Sustainably: The Green Imperative

At the Wings India 2026 curtain-raiser in Hyderabad, Sinha didn’t just celebrate growth—he urged a responsible, sustainability-first approach. India is exploring Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and promoting low-emission technologies to align with global climate targets. The goal? To ensure that rapid expansion doesn’t compromise environmental commitments.

Wings India 2026: Charting the Future

• Date & Venue: January 2026, Hyderabad
• Theme: “Indian Aviation: Paving the Future—from Design to Deployment”

This marquee event will bring together policymakers, OEM executives, MRO specialists, and innovators in Advanced Air Mobility (drones & eVTOLs). Expect blockbuster announcements—new factory proposals, joint-venture unveilings, and MOUs totaling billions of dollars in projected investments.

What’s Next? From $2 Billion to $10 Billion

India’s ambition doesn’t stop at “good enough.” Industry leaders are eyeing a five-fold jump in aerospace exports by 2030. Plans include:

• Upskilling programs to train 200,000 aerospace engineers.
• Incentives for setting up final-assembly or engine-part plants domestically.
• R&D hubs focusing on lightweight composites and avionics software.

If these pieces click, India could capture 10% of the global aerospace supply chain within a decade—transforming “Made in India” into a seal of high-value innovation rather than just cost-efficiency.

Conclusion

India’s aerospace story is no longer footnote material—it’s taking center stage. With USD 2 billion already being sourced annually and ambitions soaring toward USD 10 billion, the next chapter promises cutting-edge tech, greener skies, and economic uplift for thousands. So next time you gaze at a plane overhead, ask yourself: Could India be powering your flight?

On May 23, 2025, United Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) announced a tentative agreement that delivers industry-leading compensation and retroactive pay to the airline’s 28,000 flight attendants. The centerpiece of the deal is a projected 40% financial gain in the first year alone—an unprecedented boost for cabin crews who haven’t seen a raise since 2020.

What’s in the Deal?

• Double-Digit Base-Pay Increase: After filing for federal mediation in 2023, flight attendants secured the base-pay hike they’d long fought for.
• Retroactive Pay: Back pay to cover the four-plus years since the last contract ensures crews are made whole for past work.
• Ground Time Compensation: Pay for time spent on the ground, not just in the air, recognizes the full scope of attendants’ duties.
• Enhanced Scheduling Flexibility: New work-rule improvements aim to reduce fatigue and improve work-life balance.

Together, these elements underline how the AFA-CWA negotiated not just for more money, but for better quality of life on and off duty.

From Stalemate to Breakthrough

Years Without a Raise

Since their last contract expired in 2020, United’s cabin crews endured frozen wages while inflation and rising living costs piled up. Meanwhile, pilots at United had secured new deals by late 2023, amplifying calls for parity across the airline’s workforce.

Strike Authorization as Leverage

In 2023, flight attendants filed for federal mediation and authorized their union to call a strike if talks stalled—an assertive move that shifted bargaining power firmly in the crews’ favor. While no picket lines formed, the mere threat of a work stoppage at one of the world’s largest carriers underscored attendants’ resolve.

Why It Matters

Setting an Industry Benchmark: At 40% in year one, this agreement raises the bar for cabin-crew contracts across major U.S. airlines.

• Inflation Defense: By indexing wages to cost-of-living pressures, flight attendants protect their purchasing power even if economic conditions worsen.
• Employee Morale & Retention: Competitive pay and fair scheduling foster job satisfaction—critical as airlines battle staffing shortages.

Next Stop: Member Ratification

Later this week, local AFA-CWA leaders will review the full contract details in Chicago. Pending their approval, the tentative agreement will go to a membership ratification vote—a final democratic step before the deal becomes binding.

Ripple Effects Across the Skies

United’s breakthrough may spur similar negotiations at rival carriers. Delta and American Airlines flight-attendant unions have already signaled they’re watching closely, ready to push for comparable gains.

No surprises, no strikes, just a sky-high settlement: United’s flight attendants have proven that perseverance, solidarity, and smart leverage can deliver record-breaking results—even in the face of a global pandemic’s fallout.

With Inputs from Reuters

El Al Israel Airlines surprised many by reporting a 19% jump in first-quarter net profit, reaching $96 million, up from $80.5 million a year earlier. This surge comes even as regional hostilities with Hamas in Gaza and Houthi missile threats from Yemen have kept several foreign carriers grounded, thinning the competition and keeping El Al’s planes nearly full.

Seating Shortage Fuels Demand

With many airlines suspending services to Tel Aviv, El Al has been riding a wave of pent-up demand. Its load factor—the percentage of seats sold—climbed to 94.3% from 92.6% year-on-year, enabling the carrier to maintain premium fares and near-capacity flights. Israel’s flag carrier forecasts that seat supply will remain constrained in Q2 relative to demand, underpinning continued high occupancy rates.

Creative Capacity Boosts

To stretch its wings further, El Al expanded leased aircraft capacity and benefited from lower jet fuel prices, helping lift revenue by 5% to $774 million in Q1 2025. CEO Dina Ben Tal Ganancia emphasized the need for “creative and flexible” measures to “maintain Israel’s vital air bridge,” signaling ongoing efforts to find every available seat for eager travelers.

Fleet Expansion and Future Plans

Never one to rest on its laurels, El Al took delivery of its 17th Boeing 787 Dreamliner in May, adding a sleek, fuel-efficient jet to its long-haul fleet. Looking ahead, the airline plans to reactivate an older Boeing 777, converting it to Dreamliner-like interiors, and is negotiating new code-share agreements to tap into partner networks beyond its own routes. These moves aim to bolster capacity without waiting years for fresh orders.

Competition Creeps Back—For Now

Last year, El Al’s net profit quintupled to $545 million as many foreign carriers stayed away from Ben Gurion Airport. However, the competitive landscape is shifting: carriers such as Delta, Aegean, and Wizz Air have tentatively resumed flights, seeking a slice of the high-yield market. Even so, an early-May Houthi missile strike near the airport reminded airlines that volatility remains the rule, not the exception.

Market Share vs. Passenger Growth

Despite a 63% surge in passenger numbers through Ben Gurion in Q1, El Al’s market share dipped to 44% from 62% a year ago, as returning rivals reclaimed slots. The challenge for Israel’s flag carrier will be to balance aggressive growth with fare discipline, ensuring that filling every seat doesn’t undercut profitability.

Keeping the Momentum Aloft

El Al’s recent share price jump of 3.5% in Tel Aviv trading reflects investor confidence in its unique position as a lifeline to Israel. But sustaining this momentum will require nimble operational tweaks, expanded partnerships, and perhaps most critically, a watchful eye on regional security dynamics that can flip from calm to crisis in moments.

As airlines worldwide grapple with aircraft shortages and supply-chain snarls, El Al’s story poses an intriguing question: can a national carrier paralyzed by external conflict turn adversity into advantage over the long term? Only time—and air-traffic control—will tell.

With Inputs from Reuters

If the first quarter of 2025 was Iberia’s grand takeoff, then the second quarter promises a full-throttle ascent. Speaking at a high-profile financial event in Madrid, CEO Marco Sansavini delivered aviation’s equivalent of “clear skies ahead,” with no hint of turbulence in activity through June.

“We already have complete visibility for the second quarter, and we can say without a doubt that we see no signs of a slowdown,”

— Marco Sansavini, Iberia CEO

What Fueled Q1’s Jet-Propelled Growth?

Before we bank into Q2 forecasts, let’s appreciate the takeoff. In Q1, parent company IAG’s operating profit nearly tripled year-on-year to €198 million, crushing consensus estimates and driving shares up by 2.5%. This surge was powered by:

• Passenger Revenues: Up 6.5%, buoyed by leisure and premium bookings.
• Cargo Revenues: A hefty 12.4% lift as global supply-chain demand remained robust.
• Other Revenues: Skyrocketed 41.2%, thanks to Iberia’s MRO services and holiday packages.

Collectively, Group revenues reached €7.04 billion, a 9.6% leap over last year.

Q2 Booking Snapshot: 80% in the Logbook

IAG reported that 80% of Q2 flights are already booked, with overall revenue pacing ahead of the same period last year. That level of advanced commitment suggests:

• Strong Summer Demand: Tourists eager for sun-soaked Spanish getaways.
• Corporate Confidence: Business travel rebounding as global economies show resilience.
• Network Optimization: New routes to Latin America and Africa continue to pay dividends.

Even with cautious whispers in the wider European sector about macro-headwinds, Iberia’s own charts look steadfastly upward.

The Secret Sauce: Beyond Cheap Fuel

While lower jet fuel prices have been an undeniable tailwind, Sansavini credits a multi-pronged strategy:

• Premium Product Push: Enhanced cabins, loyalty perks, and “Club Iberia Plus” deliver higher yields.
• Operational Resilience: Improved on-time performance—the best ever in a first quarter—limits delay costs.
• Fleet Modernization: New Airbus and Boeing orders position Iberia to match capacity with surging demand.

Challenges on the Horizon?

Even with clear skies, every pilot watches the horizon for storms:

• Cost Pressures: Non-fuel unit costs are still rising, up an estimated 4% this year.
• Geopolitical Shocks: A flare-up in transatlantic trade tensions could nudge down U.S. leisure bookings.
• Competition Ramp-Up: Rival airlines are also eyeing the post-pandemic travel bonanza, especially on premium routes.

But for now, Iberia’s cockpit instruments show full confidence in a smooth flight through June.

=

Passenger Perspectives: Who’s on Board?

Iberia’s Q2 roster is a mosaic:

• Sunseekers: Germans and Brits filling the Costa del Sol and Balearics.
• LATAM Travelers: Steady traffic from South America, particularly Argentina and Chile.
• Business Flyers: Executives returning to Madrid, Barcelona, and beyond as conferences reboot.

With summer festivals, sporting events, and corporate meetings back in full swing, those seats won’t stay empty for long.

Final Approach: Why Iberia’s Projections Matter

For investors and travellers alike, Iberia’s bullish Q2 forecast is more than corporate bravado—it’s a signal that demand for air travel remains resilient even amid economic jitters. Whether you’re:

• An Airline Investor, keeping an eye on yield curves and margins.
• A Frequent Flyer, booking that beach vacation or family reunion.
• A Market Watcher, gauging consumer confidence via booking trends.

…you’ll want to watch Iberia’s flight path closely. And right now, all indicators point to a smooth, high-altitude cruise through the summer months.

Fast Facts: Iberia Q2 Outlook

• Visibility: 100% of Q2 fully modeled in internal forecasts
• Booked Flights: 80% capacity already sold
• Revenue Trend: Ahead of Q2 2024 levels
• Cost Watch: Non-fuel costs +4% in 2025 (weighted to H1)

Pack your bags—this flight is cleared for takeoff!

With Inputs from Reuters

In a deal that reads like aviation poetry, SIA Engineering has inked a massive two-year agreement to keep Singapore Airlines and Scoot flying smoothly. But what does it really mean for the skies ahead?

What’s in the Deal?

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) and its parent, Singapore Airlines (SIA), along with its low-cost arm Scoot, formalized a S$1.3 billion (? US$1 billion) services agreement. Spanning two years (with an option to extend for a third), the contract supercedes a similar arrangement signed in April 2023.

Scope includes:

• Heavy maintenance checks and line maintenance across fleets
• Repair services for airframes, engines and components
• Fleet management support, from technical records to on-wing troubleshooting

Flying into the Future

This isn’t just routine paperwork—it’s a pledge to support SIA’s ambitious fleet renewal. In the 2025/26 financial year, SIA Group plans to welcome 22 new aircraft and retire nine, including the last four Boeing 737-800s. As newer, more fuel-efficient jets join the lineup, SIAEC must juggle complex engineering demands—from advanced composite repairs on A350 fuselages to digital health-monitoring systems on the latest 777-9s.

Wings of Collaboration

For SIAEC, the bedrock of Singapore’s aviation MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) industry, this partnership cements its role as the region’s engineering powerhouse. According to industry analysts, onshore capabilities—like SIAEC’s joint-venture engine shops—are key to minimizing turnaround times and keeping widebodies airborne even amid global supply-chain snarls.

“By building buffer stocks of critical spares and leveraging power-by-the-hour agreements with OEMs, we ensure priority access to parts when airlines need them most,” aviation-week.com reports, highlighting SIAEC’s proactive strategy.

Why It Matters

• Operational Resilience: A seamless MRO pipeline reduces flight delays and cancellations—critical for SIA’s reputation as one of the world’s most punctual carriers.
• Cost Efficiency: Bulk-service agreements help smooth out maintenance expenses, shielding airlines from sudden spikes in repair costs.
• Competitive Edge: For Scoot, expanding its point-to-point network across Asia, reliable engineering support is a ticket to faster turnarounds and higher aircraft utilization.

Looking Ahead

As the aviation sector rebounds from pandemic shocks and navigates economic headwinds, long-term partnerships like this one shape who soars and who stalls. SIAEC’s two-plus-one-year pact isn’t just a contract—it’s a vote of confidence in Singapore’s MRO ecosystem.

Next checkpoints:

• Q3 2025: First tranche of new aircraft enters maintenance cycle under the new deal
• Mid-2026: Review on extension option, as SIAEC showcases uptime improvements and cost savings
• 2027 onward: Potential expansion to third-party airlines in Southeast Asia, leveraging scale and expertise

So, as Singapore’s skies fill with gleaming new jets and familiar workhorses alike, the big question remains: Will SIA Engineering’s S$1.3 billion backing be the wind beneath SIA’s wings? With a blend of cutting-edge technologies and home-grown MRO prowess, the answer looks promising—provided supply chains hold and the next generation of air travel truly takes off.

Stay tuned as we track how this engineering alliance writes the next chapter in Asia’s aviation story.

With Inputs from Reuters