Release #: 21.29
May 11, 2021

ALPA Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Fair and Open Skies Act

McLEAN, Va.—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), the world’s largest pilots union, issued the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced the Fair and Open Skies Act.

“ALPA is grateful for Chair Peter DeFazio’s (D-OR) leadership and continued commitment in protecting American jobs and fighting for fair competition for airline pilots and other U.S. workers. ALPA also recognizes and thanks Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Don Bacon (R-NE), Kai Kahele (D-HI), Connor Lamb (D-PA), Jack Bergman (R-MI), and Bill Johnson (R-OH) for sponsoring this important legislation. Foreign airlines seeking a permit to fly to the United States cannot be allowed to do so at the expense of U.S. workers, whose rights, wages, and working conditions must all be protected.

“The Fair and Open Skies Act enables the Department of Transportation to cement the rights of U.S. workers in the basic structure of this country’s air services agreements. Strong worker protections have positioned the U.S. pilot workforce to help create and contribute to a risk-predictive safety culture that has made the U.S. air transportation system the safest in the world.

“By laying a foundation of workers’ rights in U.S. international aviation policy and imposing labor protective conditions before permitting a foreign airline to serve the United States, the Department of Transportation can protect fair wages and working conditions for American workers while enhancing safety for the flying public.

“We call on Congress to put a stop to any foreign airline business scheme that undermines labor rights, safety, and the competitiveness of the U.S. airline industry and pass the bipartisan Fair and Open Skies Act to help level the playing field and keep our skies safe.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 59,000 pilots at 35 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org