Release #06.070
December 5, 2006

ALPA Commends DOT Decision to Withdraw Proposal to Allow 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 Department of Transportation announced it would withdraw a proposed rule that attempted to allow foreign interests to control virtually all commercial aspects of U.S. airlines.

“ALPA commends the Department of Transportation for withdrawing its proposal to allow foreign control of U.S. airlines. ALPA also welcomes the commitment of Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters to involve interested parties, including Congress and labor, in any decision to allow foreign interests greater control over U.S. airlines.

“Any policy change that holds the potential to dramatically influence the U.S. airline industry must be part of a full Congressional public process, rather than a unilateral action by the Administration. We particularly thank Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL), and Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) for their leadership on this issue.

“ALPA will continue to remain vigilant in protecting the safety and security of the U.S. airline industry, as well as in safeguarding U.S. jobs. We look forward to working with the Department of Transportation and the State Department to pursue these goals. We also look forward to joining with those agencies to explore ways of making our airlines more competitive in the global marketplace.”

ALPA represents 60,000 airline pilots at 39 airlines in the U.S. and Canada.

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