The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), released the following statement in response to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) decision to allow the American-US Airways merger to move ahead:
“ALPA commends the Department of Justice, American Airlines and US Airways on reaching an agreement that will allow the merger between American Airlines and US Airways to move forward. The merger has broad support of labor groups, investors on Wall Street, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), and other stakeholders.
“In order to adapt to our ever-changing airline industry, U.S. carriers such as American and US Airways must be positioned to compete internationally against powerful, growing foreign airlines, which are often government-supported. Consolidation and other market-based transactions are necessary to remain competitive, preserve jobs, maximize profits, and benefit shareholders.
“In recent years, U.S. airlines have made steady progress to achieve an economically rational yet vigorously competitive industry. However, our continued and shared success depends, in part, on the strong carrier that would be created in the newly merged American-US Airways.
“As the representative of pilots who fly more than 75 percent of express flying within the US Airways and American networks, we will continue our efforts to ensure that the future remains optimistic as a result of the merger.”
