Release #12.02
January 21, 2012

ALPA Applauds Compromise on FAA Reauthorization
Largest Pilot Union in the World Pushes for Final Multi-Year Bill

WASHINGTON – Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued this statement following the announcement of a compromise between the U.S. House and Senate that sets the stage for passing a long-term multi-year Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill.

“We applaud the U.S. House and Senate leadership for their work to bring about a bipartisan compromise to move the FAA reauthorization bill forward. After more than four years of short-term extensions, ALPA is extremely hopeful that the time has finally come for a stable, multi-year reauthorization bill.

“For months, ALPA pilots have been on Capitol Hill calling on Congress to put aside politics and special interests irrelevant to the safety of the nation’s air transportation system and pass a final FAA reauthorization. While we would have preferred that the National Mediation Board provisions had not appeared in what should be purely a safety bill, the deal struck between Senator Harry Reid and Speaker John Boehner regarding the NMB procedures is a necessary compromise to allow this critical safety legislation to move forward.

“By passing a full and stable source of FAA funding, Congress will drive critical aviation research and fuel air traffic modernization to ensure this nation attains the highest possible standards of safety and efficiency. Modernization funded by this bill will also help build air transportation system capacity and foster airline growth and profitability, while positioning the United States to compete globally as European and Asian countries update their systems.

“ALPA’s national officers, pilot representatives, and staff are fully engaged in the halls of Congress during this important time to ensure that legislators understand pilots’ interests and that our nation achieves the final, multi-year FAA reauthorization bill necessary to advance aviation safety and allow the U.S. airline industry to successfully compete in the future.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 53,000 pilots at 37 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703/481-4440 or media@alpa.org