A federal court has granted a preliminary injunction motion from United Airlines against the Air Line Pilots Association, along with 4 pilots, for an unlawful, organized campaign of pilot intimidation, abuse of sick leave, and other occurrences that caused the carrier to cancel hundreds of flights, inconveniencing thousands of customers and costing them million of dollars.

From July 19^th to 27^th, United Airlines had to cancel 329 flights, which cost them around $3.9 million in operating profit and about $8 million is revenue. They also argued that some of the pilots were carrying extra fuel on their aircrafts than needed, as well as taking work-to-rule actions, like refusing to take off if the aircraft had minor mechanical issues, of which didn’t need immediate attention according to federal rules.

In the court ruling, it was found that the Air Line Pilots Association is not allowed to organize and support activity that is designed to disrupt the operations of the airline. They must also exert reasonable effort to halt any disruption that happens.

Pete McDonald, the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of United Airlines, said that the ruling is very important, because this means that their employees and customers will not be subject to the illegal actions of the Air Line Pilots Association to disrupt their operations, as well as intimidate their employees. They will continue being decisive and proactive, taking all of the necessary steps to make sure that their company is a success on behalf of their stakeholders, he added.

Learn more about the airline at: www.united.com