Jetstar says it won't be influenced by "standover tactics" as ground crew and baggage-handlers prepare to walk off the job Thursday amid a stand-off over pay and conditions. The carrier has cancelled 28 domestic flights to minimise disruption as Transport Workers' Union members carry out 2-hour stoppages at major airports as part of an escalating industrial dispute. A spokeswoman for the airline said it had a plan in place to protect customers' travel during the strike, which the TWU announced Friday after 250 workers took part in a similar stopwork action. The TWU says workers are facing "poverty wages" and insecure, irregular hours. It is calling for a 4% wage increase and conditions including more rest breaks, a guaranteed 12-hour break between shifts and a minimum of 30 hours of work each week. <br/>
unaligned
Jeju Air has signed a memorandum of understanding to take over Eastar Jet, which has faced financial difficulties to expand its presence in the local aviation market. According to the airline, the MOU was inked Wednesday, under which it will take over a 51.17% stake in Eastar Jet for US$60m, and the two sides are scheduled to sign a sales and purchase agreement within this year. The MOU was proposed by Jeju Air to gain a competitive edge in the aviation market and to increase economies of scale. The two airlines plan to expand market share in both the domestic and international aviation markets, according to Jeju Air. The move comes as Korea's budget carriers have been suffering from declines in earnings, hit hard by the "Boycott Japan" movement. <br/>
A former Jet2 IT contractor with a grudge has been jailed for a cyber-attack on the company. Scott Burns was jailed for 10 months for his actions, which cost the company GBP165,000. The attack shut down Jet2's computer network for 12 hours in Jan 2018. Burns wanted revenge for the firm's treatment of him following an incident at a 2017 "Benidorm roadshow", Leeds Crown Court heard. Details about happened at the event in Benidorm were not outlined in court. The court heard only fast-thinking by one employee at the airline stopped Burns' actions being a "complete disaster" for Jet2. Burns pleaded guilty to 8 counts under the Computer Misuse Act at a previous hearing. <br/>
Chemical analysis of impact traces has convinced Argentinean investigators that an unmanned aerial vehicle collided with an Embraer 190 shortly before it commenced its final approach to Buenos Aires. Argentinean investigation authority JIAAC says the Austral Lineas Aereas twinjet – operating from Rosario Dec 22 last year – struck a foreign object at 4,080ft, some 20nm north-west of Jorge Newbery airport, but subsequently landed safely. Examination of the region of impact, on the fuselage, found an oily gel-like substance as well as fibres. These results suggested the material was carbon fibre while the oily substance appeared to contain organic compounds known to be present in batteries. None of the 75 occupants of the E190 was injured. <br/>