Pilots Cite EC Concerns, Airline’s Unwillingness To
Address Job-Security Needs
The Allied Pilots Association (APA) is urging the U.S. DOT to
decline American Airlines’ application for worldwide
antitrust immunity with British Airways and Iberia, citing European
Commission (EC) concerns and the airline’s refusal to address
job-security, anti-competitiveness and national-security
issues.
“As a result of two significant developments during the
past several days, we urge the DOT to decline American
Airlines’ application for worldwide antitrust
immunity,” said APA President Captain Lloyd Hill. “The
first of those developments was the EC’s announcement earlier
this month that American Airlines’ plans may violate rules
governing restrictive business practices. Given those stated
concerns, we question the advisability of granting approval to a
deal that may fail to pass muster with the DOT’s European
counterparts.
“Closer to home, American Airlines management has
refused to provide industry-standard job protections for our
pilots, despite APA’s concerted efforts,” Hill said.
“We can only conclude that our worst fears would be realized
in the event American Airlines is permitted to proceed with what
amounts to a virtual merger with British Airways and Iberia.
“For those reasons, we must now state our unequivocal
opposition to American Airlines’ application for worldwide
antitrust immunity and related joint business agreement.”
Before these two latest developments, APA had been urging
policymakers to proceed with caution and conduct full due diligence
before making any decision on the airline’s plans, citing
concerns about the negative impact on the airline’s workers,
the inherently anti-competitive nature of antitrust immunity and
the implications for national security. On the latter point, U.S.
carriers must remain ready to be deployed as needed for Civil
Reserve Air Fleet duty. That readiness could be compromised by
cross-border airline alliances or a relaxation in foreign ownership
restrictions.
“The same concerns we have expressed regarding American
Airlines’ plans apply to all immunized airline
alliances,” Hill said. “These alliances have cost
American jobs and they have proven detrimental to consumer
interests around the world.”
Hill noted that the EC has been investigating the Oneworld
Alliance, which includes American Airlines, British Airways and
Iberia, as well as the Star Alliance for possible illegal
conduct.
“The EC’s ongoing investigation is yet another
indication that the DOT should step back from the brink of
permitting ever more collusive behavior in the airline
industry,” he said. “Otherwise, airline workers and
customers will pay a high price indeed.”
APA is the certified collective bargaining agent for the 11,500
pilots of American Airlines.