FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Captain Dennis Tajer
847-902-8481
Gregg Overman
817-302-2250/817-312-3901
ALLIED PILOTS ASSOCIATION WELCOMES RELEASE OF GULF CARRIER FINANCIAL RECORDS
FORT WORTH, Texas (April 21, 2015) — Allied Pilots Association President Capt. Keith Wilson issued the following statement today regarding the Partnership for Open and Fair Skies’ release of financial records from the three Gulf carriers after a two-year investigation.
“It’s essential that Gulf carriers be subject to the same standards for financial transparency and accountability as U.S. airlines. The information released today illustrates in detail the huge subsidies that Qatar and the UAE have bestowed on their state-owned carriers, distorting the marketplace, undermining fair competition and putting U.S. jobs at risk.
“We are encouraged that the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, and Transportation have invited public comment as part of reviewing and evaluating this situation. APA will continue urging policymakers to seek consultations with the UAE and Qatar to address the subsidies issue and a freeze on further U.S. expansion by the Gulf carriers while consultations proceed.”
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines spearheaded the search for information about the government subsidies the three Gulf carriers receive, obtaining financial statements, charter documents and other records from corporate registries in various countries the Gulf airlines serve.
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 15,000 pilots of American Airlines and US Airways, including several hundred pilots on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s website is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the world’s largest passenger airline.
APA is a member of the Partnership for Open and Fair Skies, which is calling on the Obama administration to open consultations under the open-skies agreements with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to address the flow of subsidized capacity to the United States and seek a freeze on new passenger service during the consultations.