TAIPEI (TVBS News) — EVA Air responded on Monday (Dec. 18) to accusations by the Taoyuan Union of Pilots (TUP), asserting that false claims were harming the airline's reputation and undermining employees' confidence in flight safety. EVA Air called on the union to immediately cease what it deemed inappropriate conduct.
The dispute arose when EVA Air accused TUP members of spreading misinformation. TUP alleged an alarming pilot turnover rate, with 100 national pilots leaving annually, constituting a 10 percent churn rate.
EVA Air provided a detailed response, clarifying the actual numbers. In 2023, 50 national pilots, including nine due to retirement, left the company, accounting for less than 4 percent of the national pilot roster—contradicting TUP's claims.
EVA Air strongly refuted the union's allegations regarding pilot attrition rates, emphasizing its rigorous selection process, thorough screening, medical exams, and stringent training standards for domestic and foreign pilots. This was a rebuttal against any insinuation of hiring unqualified pilots or engaging in unethical practices like accepting kickbacks from intermediaries.
Regarding salaries, EVA Air cited the case of a pilot promoted to captain in 2015, whose monthly salary has increased to nearly NT$100,000 this year, highlighting the company's commitment to fair compensation and transparency for public evaluation.