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Allied Pilots Association Voices Support for Proposed American Airlines-Qantas Joint Business Venture
FORT WORTH, Texas (Dec. 6, 2018) — The Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing the 15,000 pilots of American Airlines, asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve the pending American Airlines-Qantas joint business venture, emphasizing the beneficial impact that it would have on the two airlines and the passengers they serve.
“We support this proposed joint business venture because it will help the two airlines stimulate additional travel and compete more effectively in the South Pacific market,” said APA President Capt. Dan Carey. “Joint business ventures enable the participants to establish and maintain market share, as evidenced by what the Delta Air Lines-Virgin Australia and United Airlines-Air New Zealand joint business ventures have achieved.
“This market is intensely competitive, with airlines from the Middle East and flag-of-convenience carriers making significant inroads,” he said. “Working together, American Airlines and Qantas will be able to compete more effectively than they can on their own.”
Carey noted that the proposed joint business venture enjoys broad public- and private-sector support. He also acknowledged that despite APA’s initial concerns, previously approved joint business ventures involving American Airlines have proven beneficial to the pilots APA represents.
“We understand that a vibrant American Airlines presence in the region is very much in our best interests, and we are hopeful that the U.S. Department of Transportation will approve this joint business venture application without further delay,” he said.
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.