Release #14.53
July 24, 2014
ALPA: Air Travel the Safest Mode of Transportation
WASHINGTON––The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), is deeply saddened and troubled by the apparent loss of an Air Algerie flight and yesterday’s crash of a TransAsia Airways plane on a Taiwanese island. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the crews, passengers, and all those affected by these tragic events.
By any measure, commercial air travel remains, by far, the safest mode of transportation, where fatal accidents are an extremely rare event. The last fatal crash in the United States of a U.S. passenger air carrier was more than five years ago. By contrast, there are more than 30,000 motor-vehicle deaths in the United States alone each year.
Commercial aviation is extremely safe and secure and is made more so by the consummate professionals in our industry. Pilots work with all our partners, from ground crews to air traffic controllers, the airlines and government agencies to ensure the safety of our passengers remains our top priority.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 51,000 pilots at 31 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703/481-4440 or Media@alpa.org
