A union representing Horizon Air mechanics and the airline’s parent company are at odds over outsourcing of the company’s maintenance.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents the Horizon mechanics, said it’s concerned that Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK), of Seattle, parent of both Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines, is planning to outsource the heavy maintenance of Horizon planes, similar to the outsourcing of Alaska Airlines planes.
Union members claim that “mistakes can be made by untrained and ill-equipped personnel at (outsourced) aircraft repair shops,” and there could be “security vulnerabilities — including susceptibility to sabotage — at airport and off-airport repair stations.”
But Alaska Air Group officials say the mechanics who perform outsourced maintenance for the airlines are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and have a “core competency performing heavy maintenance checks.”
“All our company and vendor maintenance operations are thoroughly reviewed and audited by the FAA, the U.S. Department of Transportation and other agencies, as well as our own internal audit teams, according to an industry-leading oversight program. Nothing is more important to us than safety,” said Bobbie Egan, spokeswoman for Alaska Airlines, in a statement.