Officer Development R2025-02
May 14, 2025 – Washington, DC

The Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition (OCCC) proudly announces the appointment of new leadership following the unanimous passage of Resolution 2025-02 . Effective immediately, the following officers have been elected to lead the coalition:

• Cpt. John Sluys – President
• Cpt. Shawn Gray – Vice President
• Cpt. Ken Johnson – Treasurer

Cpt. Ken Johnson, FO Maria Sweeney, Cpt. Shawn Gray, and Cpt. John Sluys 

Incoming Officers Sluys, Gray & Johnson bring a tremendous depth of industrial and operational experience, with proven track records of leadership in collective bargaining, organizational governance, international affairs, and frontline pilot advocacy. Captain Ken Johnson is active in areas such as safety advocacy, pilot mentorship, and government affairs work. Captain Johnson contributes to initiatives that aim to enhance pilot welfare and aviation safety.

Captain Shawn Gray has played a pivotal role in the Allied Pilots Association (APA), particularly in the realms of government and international affairs. As former Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee, he has been instrumental in representing APA's interests in Washington, D.C., advocating for policies that enhance aviation safety and uphold pilot standards. In addition to his domestic efforts, Captain Gray chairs the International Alliance Committee, serving as the union's primary liaison for foreign affairs. In this capacity, he identifies global threats and opportunities, ensuring APA's voice is heard in international aviation policy discussions. 

Captain John Sluys has been a pivotal figure in the global campaign against Reduced Crew Operations (RCO) and Single-Pilot flight decks. As ALPA’s International Affairs Coordinator and Executive Vice President for the Caribbean and North America at IFALPA, he has united pilot unions worldwide to oppose efforts to reduce cockpit crews. Sluys has led initiatives such as the #SafetyStartsWith2 campaign, moderated international panels, and contributed to position papers highlighting the safety risks of RCO. His leadership has been instrumental in mobilizing global pilot organizations to maintain the standard of two pilots on the flight deck, ensuring aviation safety remains paramount.

Cpt. Sluys and FO Sluys oppose RCO "for the benefit of future generations."

The Board has complete confidence in their ability to represent Oneworld pilots with integrity, strength, and strategic foresight. We also express our deepest gratitude to our outgoing officers for their exemplary service:

Cpt. Johnson, Cpt. Meskanen & FO Brown

• Cpt. Akseli Meskanen, the outgoing President, will continue to serve the global pilot community as Deputy Chair of IFALPA (International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations).
• FO Rick Brown, outgoing Treasurer, will contribute his financial and organizational expertise to the Allied Pilots Association’s Investor Relations Committee.
• Cpt. Kyle Johnson, outgoing Vice President, is stepping into the role of Communications Chair for the Alaska Airlines ALPA Master Executive Council.
  
  

The OCCC celebrates these transitions with both appreciation and optimism. As we welcome new leadership and recognize the enduring contributions of our past officers, we reaffirm our commitment to unity, excellence, and representing the collective strength of Oneworld pilots.

Cpt. Shawn Gray and FO Maria Sweeney holding an OCCC Banner. 

Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition Convenes in Washington, D.C. for Global Strategy Summit

May 13–14, 2025 | Washington, D.C.

Pilots from across the Oneworld alliance gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Spring 2025 meeting of the Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition (OCCC), hosted at the headquarters of the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA). This summit brought together pilot union leaders from four continents to coordinate strategies on shared industrial, safety, and regulatory priorities.

The two-day working session was held at CAPA’s offices just steps from the U.S. Capitol, with accommodations provided by the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. The event kicked off with a welcome reception at APA’s Benton House, setting the tone for constructive dialogue and cross-border solidarity.

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1 began with updates from the Allied Pilots Association and the OCCC Secretariat, including improved digital collaboration tools, budgetary considerations, and critical updates on threats such as Reduced Crew Operations (RCO) and the European Cockpit Association's (ECA) position on flight deck staffing. 

A standout moment of the summit was the guest speaker panel on social and medical sustainability in aviation plus threats posed by reduced crew operations, fume events and psychological consideration featuring:

• 
  Professor Geraint Harvey (Western University), who provided research-based insight into how employment models and labor structures are shaping the airline industry.

• 
  Captain Rondeau Flynn (American Airlines), who shared vital updates on cabin air quality, mental health policy, and his work with the FAA's Mental Health ARC and GCAQE.

• 
  Dr. Stuart Levine (UCLA/Stanford) explored pilot wellness from a population health perspective, identifying systemic medical risks in the context of automation and RCO proposals.

Following a working lunch, member associations shared lessons from recent negotiations, communications strategies, and experiences with flag-of-convenience operations, wet leases, atypical employment models, and cross-border labor challenges. President Nick Silva and Vice-President Chris Torres of the Allied Pilots Association presented on Representative Structure and American Airlines Earnings Financial Analysis:

 

Day 1 concluded with the OCCC Benchmarking Report Review and a group photo, followed by a team dinner at the historic Monocle Restaurant.

Day 2 resumed with industrial reports from additional member associations, including:

• The Japan Airlines Flight Crew Union (JFU)

• Sepla, representing Spanish pilots

• The Airline Pilots' Guild of Sri Lanka

• IALPA of Ireland

• The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (HKAOA)

These updates underscored shared global concerns, especially around eMCO/RCO, cabotage threats, atypical labor models, and occupational health.

The coalition also heard from SkyTeam Pilots Association (SPA) member Capt. Sang Song of Delta Air Lines, Captain Craig Malcolm, Administrative Head of the Air NZ Jet Pilot Council at NZALPA and Chairman of the Associations of Star Alliance Pilots Executive Board, known as ASAP, and observers like former LATAM-Chile representative Capt. Nick Bordes, reinforcing inter-alliance cooperation.

Captain Gavin Tade of APA presented additional safety data and operational concerns regarding remote piloting and reduced crew staffing, maintaining focus on the operational risks inherent in current regulatory proposals.

The summit concluded with a final round of information sharing on benchmarking, industrial strategies, labor health initiatives, and planning for the Fall 2025 meeting in Dublin, hosted by IALPA from November 23 to 25, 2025.

A Unified Voice for Pilots Worldwide
The OCCC continues to serve as the global voice for Oneworld pilots, ensuring unity and strength in an industry undergoing rapid transformation. With participation from unions across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas, this summit reaffirmed the Coalition’s role as a vital forum for advocacy, strategy, and pilot welfare.

For more details or to access resources shared during the summit, visit the 👉 WhatsApp Group Chat, Google Drive, or see www.oneworldpilots.org

On February 12, OCCC Chairman and Finnair Captain Akseli Meskanen met with American Airlines Pilot Union leadership at the APA headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. APA President FO Nick Silva and Vice President CA Chris Torres hosted the visit, focusing on deepening collaboration within the Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition and the broader international pilot community.

The conversation covered shared challenges facing alliance pilots, strategies for improving coordination among OCCC member associations, and upcoming initiatives to advance collective goals. As one of the founding members of the OCCC, APA plays a key role in shaping the coalition’s direction and influence.

In addition to his role as OCCC Chair, Captain Meskanen also leads the Professional and Government Affairs Committee of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA). The visit came shortly after the APA Board of Directors approved funding for the union to join IFALPA officially. This vital step further connects APA to the global pilot community and enhances OCCC’s collective advocacy.

The OCCC remains committed to fostering unity among Oneworld pilots, sharing best practices, and strengthening our voice within the global aviation landscape. Meetings like this reflect the value of continued engagement and solidarity across borders.

Introducing safetystartswith2.com – A Global Initiative to Preserve Aviation Safety

The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) is the official and recognized professional association and union representing airline pilots' interests. It primarily advocates for the rights, safety, and working conditions of pilots in Australia and internationally. The AIPA ensures that pilots have fair and competitive wages, job security, and safe working conditions while promoting the highest standards of aviation safety and professionalism.