ALPA's Communications Department provides information and support for news media inquiries. An ALPA communications representative can be reached in the Herndon, Va. office at (703) 481-4440.

Release #01.123
November 9, 2001

TORONTO --- Canada 3000, Canada’s second largest passenger airline, ceased operations at 12:00 a.m. EST today. This action was taken despite reaching an agreement with its three pilot unions to address many of the company’s concerns.

"We are greatly saddened and concerned about the grounding of Canada 3000 because our government could not find a workable solution to the company’s financial problems," said Capt. Doug Walsh, chairman of the pilots’ unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). "Because of this ineptitude, the country now must deal not only with the loss of the 4,800 jobs at Canada 3000 – including approximately 580 pilot jobs – but the loss of consumer choice in air travel."

ALPA president, Capt. Duane Woerth, said: "I am extremely disappointed by the last-minute developments in the negotiations cycle – marked by misstep after misstep – to save Canada 3000. The bulk of the blame for this debacle rests with the Canadian government, which failed to provide the proper and timely financial assistance to keep Canada 3000 flying."

Capt. Woerth continued: "Canada 3000 could have survived and executed its plan, which included agreed-upon pilot layoffs and concessions, if the loan guarantees had been provided two weeks ago. Because of government inaction, Canada 3000 ran out of time and Canadian consumers lost their second-largest airline."

Capt. Woerth offered thanks to the ALPA Canada 3000 pilot leadership by saying: "I commend the leadership of the ALPA pilots at Canada 3000 for their determination and strength, despite great odds, throughout this entire ordeal. The Association stands behind all the ALPA Canada 3000 pilots during this extremely trying period in your professional lives."

ALPA represents 66,000 airline pilots at 47 airlines in Canada and the U.S. The Association represents approximately 340 of the 580 pilots at Canada 3000. Its Web site is at http://cf.alpa.org.

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ALPA CONTACTS: Ron Lovas, Michelle Snyder (703) 481-4440