FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Captain Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481; Gregg Overman, 817-302-2250/817-312-3901
ALLIED PILOTS ASSOCIATION: WE CONGRATULATE ELAINE CHAO UPON HER CONFIRMATION AS U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 31, 2017) — The Allied Pilots Association (APA) extended its congratulations to Elaine Chao, who has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
“We congratulate Secretary Chao upon her confirmation,” said APA President Captain Dan Carey. “We look forward to working with her to address a series of timely issues with important implications for airline workers and the traveling public.
“The most time-critical issue we face is the DOT’s recent decision to grant a foreign air carrier permit to Norwegian Air International. Much like what happened to U.S. maritime shipping, Norwegian Air International’s flag-of-convenience business model would kick off a global race to the bottom, with carriers establishing subsidiaries in foreign countries with lax labor laws, tax loopholes, and weak safety and security oversight,” Carey said. “Left unchecked, flag-of-convenience would destroy a large number of good, middle-class American jobs and cripple the U.S. airline industry.
“In light of Ms. Chao’s extensive public service and knowledge of air transportation, we are hopeful that she will immediately recognize the serious threat that Norwegian Air International poses to our industry’s economic well-being and act accordingly. At stake are a great many good, middle-class American jobs and the future of the U.S. airline industry itself.”
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, 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.