Air Transport Services Group says one of its two airline subsidiaries, ABX Air is taking “multiple steps to resolve and end an illegal work stoppage” that began today by its pilots represented by the Airline Professionals Association of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 1224.

Around 250 pilots went on strike and about 75 flights were cancelled as a result of the strikes, which affected customers of Amazon and DHL as ABX operates flights for both express operators.

The pilots are picketing outside ABXAir’s HQ Wilmington and outside airline customer DHL’s North American hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

ABX Air president, John Starkovich explains: “We will seek a court order later today to restore the status quo operating environment, even as we continue discussions with union representatives about specific issues of concern.

“We expect the court will uphold our position that the actions taken by the union to refuse work assignments is not legal, and the issues involved constitute a minor dispute to be resolved via arbitration under terms of our current labour agreements.”

Starkovich adds: “ABX Air is notifying its customers and other affected parties about temporary interruptions in ABX’s flight operations, allowing them to adjust their networks until pilots return to work and normal flight operations resume.

“We stand ready to assist our customers in any way we can to minimise any impact on their own operations during this critical holiday period.”