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.

News Release

Release #03.075
October 23, 2003

DULLES, VA --- Atlantic Coast Airlines and the union representing its pilots have reached a tentative agreement that, pending union ratification, would provide the airline the tools it needs to proceed with its plan for developing a new, independent carrier.

Captain Stephen Hunt, chairman of the Atlantic Coast (ACA) unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), said that the new agreement is a positive move for both the pilot group and the Company. "From the beginning, our pilot group has been consistently enthusiastic about Atlantic Coast’s plans to establish ourselves as an independent carrier," stated Captain Hunt. "This tentative agreement can give our chairman and CEO Kerry Skeen the leverage he will need to successfully execute this plan. Mr. Skeen’s track record and business sense have proven his proficiency and we are confident in his ability to launch this independent airline. We believe this plan has merit and deserves the chance to unfurl—it just makes good sense at this time."

Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Atlantic Coast Airlines is one of the leading operators of regional jets in the U.S., with more than 1,600 pilots and a current fleet of 142 aircraft, including 112 regional jets.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s oldest and largest pilots’ union, representing 66,000 pilots at 42 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA web site at http://www.alpa.org.

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ALPA CONTACT: John Mazor (703) 481-4440