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ALLIED PILOTS ASSOCIATION: “MORE CHICANERY BY GULF STATE CARRIERS”
The U.S. Travel Association should register itself as a foreign agent
FORT WORTH, Texas (June 7, 2017) — The Allied Pilots Association echoed concerns that have been voiced this week regarding reports of undisclosed lobbying on behalf of Mideast carriers Emirates and Etihad by the U.S. Travel Association.
“We agree with our Air Line Pilots Association colleagues that the Justice Department should investigate whether the U.S. Travel Association has complied with laws governing U.S. agents of foreign governments,” said APA President CA Dan Carey. “Based on what we’ve heard thus far, it sounds like more chicanery by Gulf state carriers and their U.S. lobbyists.”
Emirates and Etihad are both members of the U.S. Travel Association. The U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act and the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act require U.S. agents of foreign governments to register with the DOJ and disclose the names of any organization contributing more than $5,000 or actively participating in lobbying and political activities. The U.S. Travel Association has not taken these steps regarding its advocacy on behalf of the two carriers and their Gulf state owners.
“The U.S. Travel Association has acknowledged receiving revenue from the two state-owned carriers. Therefore, it needs to register itself as a foreign agent and list Emirates, Etihad, and the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai on lobbying disclosure forms,” Carey said. “The American public has the right to know when foreign governments seek to influence U.S. policymakers.”
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 AlliedPilots.org. American Airlines is the world’s largest passenger airline.