FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:  Capt. Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481/Gregg Overman, 817-312-3901 Allied Pilots Association Applauds House Passage of ALERT Act FORT WORTH, Texas (April 15, 2026) — The Allied Pilots Association (APA), certified collective bargaining agent for the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, commended the House Transportation box-sizing: border-box;">“This strong, bipartisan vote underscores a shared commitment to enhancing aviation safety and strengthening the systems that protect the flying public,” said First Officer Nick Silva, APA President. “We applaud Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and members of the Committee and the full House for their leadership and dedication to advancing meaningful safety reforms.” President Silva characterized the ALERT Act as a significant step forward in modernizing aviation safety protocols, improving data sharing, and ensuring that pilots and regulators have the tools necessary to proactively address potential risks. He also emphasized the importance of embracing the precision of ADS-B In technology, which the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act mandates. Unlike radar, ADS-B In allows pilots to receive data directly from surrounding aircraft, providing a comprehensive picture of nearby traffic on flight deck displays. “APA remains committed to working with lawmakers and industry stakeholders to ensure that the final legislation enhances aviation safety while supporting the pilots who uphold it every day, and we encourage the House and Senate to come together quickly to produce a final, unified bill incorporating the strongest elements of both ALERT and ROTOR,” President Silva said. “The traveling public and aviation professionals alike depend on a regulatory framework that reflects the highest standards of safety, transparency, and accountability.” Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association – the largest independent pilots union in the United States – is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA’s membership includes several hundred pilots on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s website is AlliedPilots.org.

Rest in Peace to Our Fellow Aviators Fellow Pilots, Overnight, two Air Canada Jazz pilots tragically lost their lives following a collision with an airport fire rescue vehicle that entered their runway on landing at LGA. Project Wingman is standing by at 817-823-7965 should you need support. These moments are never easy, and APA stands in support of our brothers and sisters over at Air Canada Jazz and ALPA during this difficult time. Rest in peace to our fellow aviators.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Capt. Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481/Gregg Overman, 817-312-3901 APA President First Officer Nick Silva Releases Statement on ROTOR Act and ALERT Act FORT WORTH, Texas (Feb. 20, 2026) — Allied Pilots Association (APA) President First Officer Nick Silva released the following statement regarding the ROTOR Act and Alert Act: “On behalf of the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) expresses our support for the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act. This critical legislation is a long-overdue step toward modernizing our national airspace and ensuring the safety of every pilot, passenger, and crew member. “The tragic midair collision on Jan. 29, 2025, involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a military helicopter underscored a dangerous gap in our aviation infrastructure. To prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again, we must move beyond outdated systems and embrace the precision of ADS-B In technology. “While the FAA currently requires ADS-B Out in certain airspaces, the ROTOR Act rightfully mandates that all aircraft already equipped with ADS-B Out must also carry ADS-B In by December 31, 2031. Unlike radar, ADS-B In allows pilots to receive data directly from surrounding aircraft, providing a comprehensive picture of nearby traffic on flight deck displays. “While we do have concerns over language instituting membership for rulemaking, review, and consultation at FAA, the ADS-B In requirements in this legislation are too important. I would like to personally thank Chairman Ted Cruz for his steadfast leadership on this issue and his commitment to address our concerns and work with the FAA Administrator to ensure that independent pilots’ labor has a seat at the table in implementing the ROTOR Act. By collaborating with the pilots trained in ADS-B technology and approved by the FAA Administrator to utilize it, implementation of these recommendations will be grounded in the practical, front-line experience of professional pilots.  “APA also expresses support for the introduction of the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) of 2026 Act. This legislation represents a critical step forward in ensuring our National Airspace System remains the safest and most efficient in the world. Thank you to Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, Chairman Rogers, and Ranking Member Smith for their commitment to an inclusive legislative process. By ensuring that input from all pilot labor groups is integrated into the final language, the House has demonstrated its understanding that those on the front lines of aviation are best positioned to identify and address emerging safety risks. “The inclusion of labor’s voice ensures this bill is not just a policy document, but a practical tool that supports aviation professionals in their daily mission. We are particularly encouraged to see provisions that prioritize transparency and operational integrity, which are essential for maintaining the safety and reliability our passengers expect. “To that degree, ADS-B In technology needs to be integrated into all Part 121 aircraft as in-panel display and connected to the flight management system, validating the NTSB findings and recommendations. APA remains dedicated to working alongside Congress in advancing both pieces of legislation and reinforcing a culture where safety is never compromised for the sake of profit and where the expertise of professional pilots remains central to federal oversight.” Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association – the largest independent pilots union in the United States – is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, including several hundred pilots on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s website is AlliedPilots.org.

We Need Decisive Action Your APA Board of Directors sent the following letter today to the American Airlines Group Board of Directors: Members of the American Airlines Group Board of Directors: The Allied Pilots Association Board of Directors, representing the more than 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, is writing to address the current operational environment, leadership approach, and long-term strategic direction of American Airlines. Our airline is on an underperforming path and has failed to define an identity or a strategy to correct course.  This assessment is not the result of a single interaction with management, an isolated operational disruption, or an individual earnings report; it is the result of persistent patterns of operational, cultural, and strategic shortcomings. Copying competitors’ initiatives and reactive repairs to the mistakes of the past is not a strategy to a future that closes the gap between American and our premium competitors, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.  For more than a year, APA has voiced concerns regarding management’s ability to turn the corner. Management has been given repeated opportunities to articulate a credible strategy and demonstrate measurable improvement. Those opportunities have passed without meaningful change. Despite repeated assurances, the operation continues to struggle under predictable stressors, exposing systemic weaknesses in preparation, execution, and decision making. These consequences are shouldered by our customers and employees every day.  These failures have negatively impacted the financial performance of our company and frustrated all stakeholders, to include shareholders, for far too long. While our premium competitors’ market capitalization has soared, American’s has soured. As their free cash flow is sustained and growing, ours is inconsistent and stumbles. As our competitors drive and arrive at investment-grade balance sheets, management’s miscalculations leave American trailing in that investment-grade effort as well. Management self-lauds their proclaimed industry leading “efficiency,” yet they fail to fully monetize the assets under their charge and leave us in a revenue trailing position compared to Delta and United.  As Directors, you are the fiduciaries of this organization and are charged with oversight, not optimism. American is no longer best in class financially, operationally, or in customer service. The pilots of American want our company to win and dominate the competition, not just survive and compete. Our careers are intrinsically tied to the fate and performance of this once-great airline. Our members have been clear and consistent in their expectations regarding these issues and have lost confidence in management’s ability to correct course. We are not interested in symbolic gestures. We need decisive action. We require leaders who are willing, equipped, and empowered to get the house in order. Leadership must change the culture of this airline, define American’s business identity, develop a strategy to not just improve but to outperform our competitors, and restore pride across the organization. Anything less will result in the continued deterioration of the American Airlines brand.  We are prepared to explore these topics in greater detail. We respectfully request that APA President Nick Silva be afforded the opportunity to formally present our concerns to the AA Board of Directors. The pilots of American Airlines stand ready to support a future built on results, accountability, operational excellence, service to our customers, and respect for the frontline leaders who make this airline run. Respectfully, CA Lawrence Cutler, BOS Chair CA Thomas Knox, BOS Vice Chair CA Heather Boulanger, CLT Chair FO Hickory Ham, CLT Vice Chair CA Chris Wachter, DCA Chair CA Tom Lawler, DCA Vice Chair CA Brian Smith, DFW Chair FO Jason Gustin, DFW Vice Chair CA William Brynjolfsson, LAX Chair CA Tim Dick, LAX Vice Chair CA Mark Lokey, LGA Chair CA Jim Scanlan, LGA Vice Chair CA Jay Wilhelm, MIA Chair FO Jamie Funderburk, MIA Vice Chair CA Wes Smith, ORD Chair FO Paul Meyers, ORD Vice Chair CA Chris Henshall, PHL Chair CA Brian Sweep, PHL Vice Chair CA Mitchell Vasin, PHX Chair CA John McIlvenna, PHX Vice Chair The Allied Pilots Association Board of Directors