Release #14.73
August 14, 2014
ALPA to DHS: Do Not Lift Libyan Restrictions on Flight Training
WASHINGTON––The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued the following statement today from ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak in response to the proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation that, if signed, would lift the current prohibition on admitting Libyan nationals to the United States for flight training. Read Moak’s letter to DHS Secretary Johnson.
“The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l strongly opposes permitting Libyan nationals to receive pilot or any other type of training in the United States and urges Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to deny the pending DHS regulation that would rescind the longstanding prohibition.
“ALPA applauds the leadership of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee for raising serious questions about the appropriateness of this proposed regulation, and notes that the Federal Aviation Administration currently prohibits U.S. airlines and commercial operators from entering Libyan airspace.
“While improving government relationships is laudable, given the current instability and past record of the government and this region, safety and security concerns must never be set aside as a means to build diplomatic ties.”
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
