Release # 01.04
January 26, 2001

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Captain Greg Amussen, the chairman of the Atlas Air crewmembers’ Master Executive Council Chairman, a unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, International, released the following statement regarding the death of Atlas chairman, president, and CEO, Michael A. Chowdry, who was killed Wednesday in the crash of Chowdry’s private airplane:

"We are saddened by this tragedy and extend our deepest sympathy to Michael’s family. Michael founded Atlas in April 1992, with one Boeing-747 serving China Airlines, and through his vision and dedication, he built the company into the world’s third largest cargo carrier operating the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 747 freighters.

We will continue negotiating with Atlas management for the pilots’ first union contract, but our single-most goal remains to ensure Atlas’ continued growth and prosperity. Michael Chowdry left a legacy with the Atlas crewmembers, management, and other employees, and we will do well to embrace that legacy as we move forward."

ALPA has represented the approximately 850 Atlas crewmembers since they joined the union in April 1999. Formed in 1931, ALPA is the world’s oldest and largest pilots union, representing 59,000 pilots at 49 airlines in Canada and the United States.

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ALPA Contact: Teresa Mattick, 703-481-4463