Horizon Air pilots approved an amended contract that raises the regional carrier's pay scale.

The sister carrier of Alaska Airlines had been facing a pilot shortage, and the APA Teamsters Local 1224 representing pilots had sought higher pay, better benefits.

The union sued and threatened to strike earlier this year as Horizon began offering signing bonuses to address a pilot shortage. The union said the offer violated federal labor laws because Horizon was in the midst of contract negotiations with the union.

The union dropped the lawsuit in April, shortly after the two sides reached a tentative contract agreement.

Parent company Alaska Air Group said in a statement the new contract puts Horizon at the top end of the pay scale for regional airlines.

Seventy-nine percent of voting Horizon pilots approved ratification with an 88 percent participation rate, Alaska said.

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus