Release #12.23
May 9, 2012

ALPA Commends U.S. House Passage of Ex-Im Bank Reforms
Reauthorization Helps End U.S. Subsidies to Foreign Airlines that Threaten U.S. Jobs

WASHINGTON–Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, which contains important reforms to help ensure U.S. industry and workers are not harmed by the Bank’s financing.

“The bipartisan reauthorization passed today by the U.S. House contains important reforms to change the way the Export-Import Bank of the United States does business, doing more to ensure that its financing decisions do not harm the U.S. airline industry or its workers by using U.S. taxpayers’ money to give foreign airlines an unfair advantage in the global marketplace.

“ALPA commends House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer for their determined efforts to broker a compromise that advances U.S. manufacturing while protecting U.S. workers’ jobs. Today’s vote is encouraging progress toward leveling the playing field for U.S. airlines and airline industry workers in the global marketplace.

“In addition, the direction from Congress contained in the reauthorization takes significant action toward eliminating worldwide subsidies of widebody aircraft. U.S. airlines and their workers need a level playing field in order to compete effectively in the world marketplace. Currently, state-sponsored foreign airlines are able to purchase U.S.-manufactured aircraft at below-market Ex–Im Bank financing rates. These reduced rates are not available to U.S. airlines, and they result in millions of dollars in cost savings for foreign competitors, positioning them to drive U.S. airlines out of international routes and undermine U.S. airline workers’ jobs.

“The pilots of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, have been engaged in the Ex–Im Bank reauthorization process with the intent to make it clear that U.S. taxpayers’ money should not be used to give foreign airlines an unfair competitive advantage and jeopardize U.S. workers’ jobs. We urge the U.S. Senate to take up this legislation immediately and to give U.S. airlines and their dedicated workers a level playing field from which to compete with state-backed foreign airlines.”

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