Release #01.63
June 15, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aspen, Colorado -- The Associations of Star Alliance Pilots (ASAP) held its semi-annual meeting June 12-15 at the Aspen Institute in Aspen, Colorado. In attendance were more than 40 delegates, all of whom are among the senior pilot leadership for the pilot unions at the 13 air carriers who are members of the Star Alliance. Those unions collectively represent more than 25,000 pilots. The United Airlines Pilots’ Master Executive Council (UAL-MEC), a unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, International, hosted the meeting.

Guest speakers at this meeting included United's Senior Vice President of Flight Operations Captain Steve Forte and Senior Vice President of Planning Montie Brewer. Also Boeing's Director of Sales Joe Ozimek and Vice President of Operational Regulatory Affairs Captain Chet Ekstrand spoke to the pilots about Boeing’s newest aircraft under design, the Sonic Cruiser.

In addition to their normal business of tracking and monitoring the activities of the Star Alliance, the ASAP representatives reviewed in depth the recent successfully concluded negotiations and significant achievements of the pilots at Lufthansa and the role of ASAP in that dispute, the status of the Mexican aviation industry and recent developments in the South Pacific, particularly those involving Star Alliance members Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and Ansett Australia. Also reviewed was the changing aviation landscape in Europe.

Developments in the near-term in all of these arenas likely will impact the careers of pilots flying for airlines in the Star Alliance. The ASAP members also discussed at length and renewed their commitment to mutual assistance that they could afford one to the other in the event of an industrial dispute.

Captain Rick Dubinsky, Chairman of the UAL-MEC and the presiding officer for the meeting, commented, "This gathering of ASAP leaders demonstrates just how far this organization has come in a relatively short period of time. Everyone should be impressed by the number of attendees, the subject matter considered at this meeting and the formal recognition of ASAP being shown by the airlines, aircraft manufacturers and others involved in this vital air transportation network."

ASAP’s next regular meeting is scheduled for November 6-8, 2001, and will take place in Auckland, New Zealand.

###

ALPA Contact: Kathie White (847) 292-1700