Aeromexico pilots to strike over loss of benefits after crash

Unionised pilots of Aeromexico said Tuesday that they plan to strike Oct 1 over the airline's decision to suspend some benefits after a crash in northern Mexico. In a preliminary report last week, Mexico's civil aviation agency said bad weather likely caused the crash, adding that there was no evidence of human error or mechanical failures. The agency, however, found that a pilot in training, who was not authorised by the company, briefly served as co-pilot during the take-off. In response, Aeromexico last week said it had fired the 3 pilots who were in the cabin and announced new rules for crew, including the elimination of a provision that allowed pilots to fly in the cabin for free. Pilots union ASPA, whose members include Aeromexico, said that the provision is critical for pilots who use it to travel from their homes to the airline's base. <br/>