This month, the need for action by ECA in support on one of our members has caused me to "scratch my head" in an effort to understand the behaviour of a group of otherwise successful and motivated business leaders!

All across Europe, in many different airlines, with very different business models, professional pilots are seen as one of the key groups adding to the success of their companies. Here at European level with the EU Institutions, and globally with ICAO and Governments all across the globe, the considered, independent opinion of the professional pilot unions, federations and associations is welcomed at both the most detailed technical and at the highest political levels. As technical experts, as operational experts, as those who use and have firsthand experience of the operation, Pilots normally have a very loyal and thoughtful relationship with their company – in many carriers there is often no change in employer from training to pension.

So I was very puzzled indeed to hear from our Italian Member Association ANPAC, that the consortium of respected business leaders encouraged by the Italian Prime Minister to bid for ownership of Alitalia had put forward a disturbing plan for the future of the airline. This plan failed to recognise the enormous contribution ANPAC had made to safety and security levels throughout Alitalia's history, failed to recognise the value in being able to harness the diverse and loyal talents of Alitalia's professional pilot workforce; but worse still, planned no involvement for a professional pilot association of any sort in the future!

I was stunned and appalled that one of Europe's great airlines, having been hobbled by Government interference and poor management, was now going to be owned and run by people who clearly did not understand or care about the airline industry.

With support from ECA, IFALPA and other Professional Cockpit Crew Associations across Europe, and despite Italian press misinformation, ANPAC (even stronger following a merger with UP) will be a part of Italian aviation, representing professional pilots' interests into the future. Both the CAI management, and any other management who want to run a safe and successful airline, must be progressive enough to realise the benefits and advantages of strong partnership with independent professional pilot associations.