Release #06.027
June 14, 2006

ALPA Applauds U.S. House Move to Block Foreign Control of U.S. Airlines

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Capt. Duane E. Woerth, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Oberstar-LoBiondo-Poe amendment to the Transportation-Treasury-HUD Appropriations bill. The amendment passed in an overwhelming 291-137 bipartisan vote and moves to block the Department of Transportation (DOT) from attempting to implement any change in the rules prohibiting foreign control of U.S. airlines.

“Today’s overwhelming bipartisan vote is a victory for the U.S. airline industry and for U.S. workers. Thanks to the leadership of Reps. Oberstar, LoBiondo, and Poe, the U.S. House has clearly spoken in powerful opposition to this reckless proposal.

“This action is the latest battle in a campaign of opposition to the DOT proposal from all corners of Capitol Hill. One-hundred-ninety-three members of the House have co-sponsored H.R. 4542, which would prohibit the DOT from issuing a final rule for one year and would direct the Department to bring the proposal before Congress.

“In addition, the House and Senate conference committee passed language in the Supplemental Appropriations conference report which directs the DOT not to issue a final rule for 120 days. With the House on record in overwhelming opposition, the DOT cannot justify proceeding with this rule.”

ALPA represents 61,000 airline pilots at 39 airlines in the U.S. and Canada.

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ALPA CONTACTS: Linda Shotwell, Jeff Orschel, (703) 481-4440, media@alpa.org