Sun Country pilots voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new five-year contract with the airline.
 
Pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association approved the contract on a vote of 204 to 31 in favor (15 abstaining) after years of often-tense negotiations, including suggestions by management that the airline could shutter completely.
 
“This new contract appropriately recognizes our pilot group for its contributions to the airline’s current and future success, as well as sacrifices in years past,” Brian Roseen, chairman of ALPA’s Sun Country master executive council said in a statement.
 
The agreement includes “substantial” pay raises and other benefits.
 
“We are very pleased to have found common ground and agreement with our Sun Country Airline pilot team,” Sun Country owner Marty Davis said in a statement. “Our pilots are outstanding leaders of our airline and their efforts and performance at this company has been exemplary for many, many years.”
 
An October 2014 story in TCB highlighted how Sun Country has stayed afloat and independent, despite an industry that has faced turmoil and consolidation. Cost control is a major factor at the airline, including lower-than-average wages for pilots.