ATA Coalition opposes bill sunsetting aviation alliances.

Press Release Summary:



Air Transport Association of America (ATA) urged the administration to oppose HR 831, which would sunset existing international airline alliances. This could destroy important service and public benefits, such as competitive fares and new routes, by withdrawing previously granted rights for carriers to participate in alliances. Also, arbitrarily terminating antitrust immunity will have a harsh impact on airline employees and ripple across the travel and tourism industry.



Original Press Release:



Industry Coalition Opposes Bill Sunsetting Aviation Alliances



WASHINGTON, March 23, 2009 - The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, as part of a broad coalition of aviation industry stakeholders, today urged the administration to oppose H.R. 831, which would sunset existing international airline alliances. The coalition includes U.S. airlines as represented by ATA, their European partners as represented by the Association of European Airlines, as well as other aviation and travel organizations.

International alliances are a vital element of a global economy and produce enormous benefits for travelers, businesses, shippers and others. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has historically approved international airline alliances because of the substantial benefits that they provide both to passengers, and to European and U.S. airlines. H.R. 831 could destroy important service and public benefits such as competitive fares and new routes by withdrawing previously granted rights for carriers to participate in alliances.

In addition, arbitrarily terminating antitrust immunity will have a harsh impact on airline employees and cause a ripple effect across the travel and tourism industry, at a time when U.S. unemployment is escalating rapidly. Based on data from ATA member airlines, this legislation could cost as many as 15,000 U.S. airline jobs alone, not to mention the indirect effect on employment at other companies both in the United States and abroad. U.S. airlines have already cut 28,000 jobs last year and announced thousands more cuts for 2009. This legislation would unnecessarily add to that total.

ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airlines passenger and cargo traffic. For additional industry information, visit www.airlines.org.

Elizabeth Merida
Manager, Communications
Air Transport Association
202-626-4205
emerida@airlines.org

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