WILMINGTON – Air Transport Services Group, Inc. Wednesday said its ABX Air pilots will be returning to work beginning Wednesday night. This follows a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Black that the striking pilots must resolve differences with ABX Air through arbitration and other provisions of their labor agreement, according to a press release from ABX Air.

The judge determined that disagreements with the pilots and their union, Airline Professionals Association of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 1224, over work scheduling issues constitute a “minor dispute” and must be resolved under terms of the labor agreement between ABX Air and the union, the release stated.

John Starkovich, President of ABX Air, said that he expects ABX Air flight operations to resume effective immediately.

“I am pleased that the court continues to recognize the value to all parties from continuing to work out remaining differences in negotiations and through arbitration,” Starkovich said. “We intend to resume those discussions at the appropriate time and place in order to find solutions that are in the best interests of our customers, shareholders and employees.”