United Airlines and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), the union representing 29,000 ground-service workers, have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract. The deal, which promises higher pay and better working conditions for employees at the Chicago-based carrier, now goes to the union members for a vote, which will begin on 24 April and last through 1 May, IAMAW says on 13 April. The union says the agreement would provide “industry-best” wages. It covers fleet-service workers, passenger-service workers, storekeepers, central load planners, maintenance instructors, fleet technical instructors and security officers. Airlines are striving to recruit and retain workers as the travel industry faces a busy summer travel season, with pent-up demand for air travel ongoing following the Covid-19 pandemic. Separately, United is negotiating a new contract with pilots. Last month, Delta Air Lines’ pilots agreed to a new multi-year deal that will give them a 34% pay increase by 2026. US airlines are broadly facing a shortage of pilots, which is pressuring carriers to boost pay.<br/>
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Air Canada plans to fly non-stop between Vancouver to Dubai four times weekly using Boeing 787 Dreamliners beginning on 28 October. The carrier said on 13 April that the new route between Vancouver International and Dubai International airports will complement Air Canada’s daily flights between Toronto and Dubai, “broadening its presence in fast-growing international markets”. “We are extremely pleased to add the only non-stop service linking Vancouver and Dubai, two iconic and vibrant global destinations,” says Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s senior vice-president of network planning and revenue management. “In cooperation with our codeshare and frequent flyer partner Emirates, our Vancouver-Dubai flights will connect to a multitude of destinations across the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and East Africa.” The marathon flights will depart Vancouver at 20:50 local time and arrive in Dubai at 23:50 the next day. Returning flights will depart Dubai at 02:00 local time and arrive at 05:00 in Vancouver. The 6,350nm (11,800km) one-way flight is estimated to take about 13 hours. Air Canada flies daily between Toronto Pearson International airport and Dubai – a nearly 7,000nm flight, according to Diio data. Montreal-based Air Canada operates a fleet of 37 787s, with one further 787-9 on order, according to Cirium fleets data. The 787-8 has capacity for 255 passengers, as configured by Air Canada, while the larger 787-9 can seat up to 298 customers. The airline also has orders for 30 of the yet-to-be-certificated Airbus A321XLR, a long-range variant of the narrowbody A321neo that could add capacity to Air Canada’s international network. <br/>
At least three European airlines are laying the groundwork for potential bids for Portugal's flag-carrier TAP, sounding out local communications agencies and legal advisers as a new CEO prepares to take over, according to sources and media reports. The state owns 100% of TAP, which is currently restructuring under a Brussels-approved E3.2b rescue plan, and the government is considering an outright or partial sale of the airline. Finance minister Fernando Medina said in February the government was doing preliminary work for the privatisation process. Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and British Airways owner IAG are seen as potential buyers. Air France-KLM declined to comment. IAG and Lufthansa did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Portuguese news site ECO reported on Thursday that IAG, which also owns Iberia, had selected communications agency Cunha Vaz & Associados and lawyers' office Vieira de Almeida. CVA and VdA did not immediately reply to requests for comment. A source from a large Lisbon law firm, who declined to be named, said Air France-KLM and Lufthansa were also "sounding out" legal and communications advisers in Portugal. A communications agency source said the three airlines were likely to officially select Portugal-based advisers soon. Another communications agency source said there were ongoing talks between the main advisory agencies and the three airlines, adding: "The process is really kicking off."<br/>