OREANDA-NEWS. Southwest Airlines Co. and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) announced today that they have agreed to terms on a tentative agreement for the Company’s more than 200 Aircraft Appearance Technicians, the group primarily responsible for aircraft detailing and appearance care services. AMFA representatives will be communicating the provisions of the proposed 5-year extension agreement in the coming days.

“I want to commend both Negotiating Teams for their work in getting us to this point,” said Landon Nitschke, Southwest Airlines Vice President Maintenance Operations. “This agreement enhances pay and benefits for our Employees, and it supports the Company's long-term strategic business plan.”

“The AMFA NEC is proud of the Local Airline Representatives and their commitment and dedication of what they have done to get this agreement. The AMFA NEC provides the affected Members the opportunity to express their opinion by a vote,” said Bret Oestreich, AMFA National Director.

If approved, this extension will run through February 2021 and replace the current collective bargaining agreement that becomes amendable in February 2017.

In its 46th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 52,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest operates more than 3,900 departures a day during peak travel season across a network of 98 destinations in the United States and seven additional countries with service to Cuba expected to begin later this year, subject to governmental approvals.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new markets. With 43 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet.