Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Delta Air Lines has abandoned plans to order 40 Boeing 737-900ERs and 20 Embraer 190s following the rejection last week of a tentative three-year contract by the company’s pilots. Delta tied the proposed order—plans for which the airline announced on June 10—to ratification of the contract.&nbsp; &nbsp;

 


“Those orders will be cancelled,” Delta CEO Richard Anderson said during the airline’s quarterly earnings call on Wednesday.

 


Plans called for mainline pilots to fly the 20 used, Boeing-held Embraer airplanes starting in the fourth quarter of 2016. The airline planned to use the Boeing jets to replace aging narrowbodies scheduled to retire through 2019. A previous <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2011-08-25/delta-places-order-100-boeing-737-900ers">firm order for 100 Boeing 737-900ERs</a> remains in effect.

 


Anderson would not comment on the reasons he thought the pilots rejected the deal by a relatively wide, 65 percent to 35 percent margin. Delta approached the pilots with the offer, which included an immediate 8 percent pay raise and per diem expense increases, some six months ahead of the current contract’s amendable date. However, proposed changes to the airline’s profit-sharing plan proved a point of contention, as did the pay scale proposed for the E190s.

 


In a letter to Delta's pilots, Delta Air Line Pilots Association unit chairman Mike Donatelli said he has called a special meeting for July 21 to reassess negotiating strategy.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Contract Rejection by Delta Pilots Nixes Big Order

Deal off for 40 Boeing 737-900ERs, 20 Embraer 190s, confirms Delta CEO

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Next delivery for BACN program slated for 2025

Bombardier's USAF BACN Global Jet Deliveries Reach Eight

Milestone reached two years after the latest version entered service

Bombardier's Challenger 3500 Reaches 100th Delivery

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Garmin's Autoland feature could save lives if a pilot becomes incapacitated 

Textron Cessna Citation CJ4, CJ3, and M2 Jets Updated to Gen3 with Garmin Autoland

Charles Alcock

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Hybrid-electric aircraft will operate in VTOL or STOL modes with range of up to around 544 nm

Manta Turns to China's Shenyang Aviation To Advance VTOL/STOL Aircraft

Sarah Rose

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Fastest single-engine aircraft in Piper’s history gets nods from EASA and other agencies

M700 Fury Racks Up Foreign Certifications

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Marks the operator's sixth nomination for the International Travel & Health Insurance Journal (ITIJ) Awards

FAI Rent-a-jet Nominated for ITIJ Air Ambulance Award

Chad Trautvetter

Four-week strike will affect aircraft deliveries in the fourth quarter

Textron Aviation Ships 41 Bizjets in 3Q Despite Strike

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

More In Aircraft