New pricing system discussion at Turkish Airlines: Concern about loss of income

Claims that there will be changes in the remuneration system of cockpit and cabin crews at Turkish Airlines (THY) remain on the agenda.

While it was stated that the regulation called "Target 12" envisaged changes in flight hours, overtime, flight fees, crew vehicle, per diem and various additional payments, Hava Sen argued that the new system could cause a loss of 10 to 20 percent in employees' income.

It has been claimed that in THY's new remuneration model for its employees, it is planned to increase the 55-hour flight rate in the current system.

Allegedly, in the new system, personnel whose monthly flight time is less than 40 hours will be paid based on 40 hours. It is planned that the wages of personnel who fly between 40 and 70 hours will be calculated based on the time they actually fly.

It is envisaged that excess flight payment will come into effect for flights longer than 70 hours, and the portion exceeding 70 hours will be calculated at 1.5 times, and the portion exceeding 80 hours will be calculated at 2 times.

According to BirGün; It is claimed that the new system will not only change the limits on flight hours, but will also affect the way the fee paid per hour is calculated.

One of the topics discussed by the employees is that the unit flight hourly wage, which is calculated on 55 hours in the current system, will be moved to 70 hours in the new model.

It is stated that with this change, the hourly wage may decrease, and especially employees whose monthly flight time is less than 70 hours may lose their total income. Another change claimed to be included in the draft is regarding the guarantee payment limit. While in the current practice, payments are made at a higher rate during low flight hours, it is stated that in the new system, the guarantee payment limit is planned to be reduced to 40 hours.

The effect of the regulation on the total income of employees is also at the center of the debate. Calculations among employees suggest that the new system may cause a loss of income of 10 to 20 percent for some staff groups.

It is stated that the new pricing model is planned to be implemented as of January 1, 2027.

Allegedly, THY management, after informing the employees, requested that the approval process for the new application be completed by September 29. It was also claimed that employees who did not accept the regulation or did not give positive or negative feedback on the issue were planned to be dismissed by paying severance and notice pay.

Hava Sen reacted to THY's new pricing model. The union argued that the regulation would change the way credit flight money is calculated, which has been implemented for years, to the detriment of employees.

In the evaluation made by the union, it was stated that there could be a decrease of up to 20 percent in salaries by changing the guarantee wage calculations for cockpit and cabin crews.

Hava Sen argued that the approximately 10 percent collective bargaining increase expected to be implemented on January 1, 2027 will not be enough to compensate for this loss, and stated that the regulation would mean "unilateral change of an acquired right."

The union also claimed that THY's employer made "such a heavy attack for the first time" against the acquired rights of employees, and claimed that a plan to completely eliminate acquired rights was being tested following the current reactions.

While discussions on wages and working conditions continue, THY continues its plans to expand its fleet.

The company signed an agreement with Boeing for a total of up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, 100 of which are firm and 50 are options. It was stated that the order in question is the largest single-aisle aircraft agreement that THY has made with Boeing.

The fact that the company's steps to expand its fleet and the planned changes in employees' wages coincided with the same period, causing discussions between the union and the employees.