American Airlines Expresses Gratitude to Thousands of Employees and Supporting Organizations for Trans-Atlantic Antitrust Immunity Application Approval

Strategic Insights -

American Airlines Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey has publicly thanked thousands of employees who expressed support for the company's application for trans-Atlantic antitrust immunity. The company is also grateful to the Transport Workers Union of America, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, and other unions representing more than 45,000 employees. Additionally, American Airlines thanked key members of Congress, including Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and Dick Durbin, and 135 U.S. Representatives, as well as 42 Governors, 110 Mayors, and 127 airports from around the nation for their support. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has tentatively approved the application, stating that granting antitrust immunity to the one world alliance would provide travelers and shippers with a variety of benefits, including lower fares on more routes, increased services, better schedules, and reduced travel and connection times.

Key Takeaways:

  • American Airlines' application for trans-Atlantic antitrust immunity was approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) with conditions.
  • The approval is contingent upon the company responding with comments during the established timeframe and discussing the benefits of their plans with regulators in the European Union.
  • American Airlines received support from 28 U.S. Senators, 135 U.S. Representatives, 42 Governors, 110 Mayors, and 127 airports from around the nation.
  • The Transport Workers Union of America, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, and UNITE the Union-Branch LE/2005 also expressed support for the application.
  • Over 3,300 letters of support were written, including letters from 615 travel-related organizations, 324 economic, education, and not-for-profit organizations, and 485 corporations, small business, and for-profit organizations.
  • American Airlines plans to discuss the terms of the proposed joint business with regulators in the European Union.
  • The joint business is designed to encourage growth, increase revenues, and improve services for customers and employees.
  • American Airlines is a founding member of the one world Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business.

Statistics:

  • 3,300 letters of support were written for the application.
  • 28 U.S. Senators endorsed the application.
  • 135 U.S. Representatives supported the application.
  • 42 Governors from around the nation expressed their backing.
  • 110 Mayors from across the country supported the application.
  • 127 airports from around the nation also lent their support.
  • The Transport Workers Union of America represents 28,000 workers at American Airlines.
  • The Association of Professional Flight Attendants has approximately 18,000 members.
  • UNITE the Union-Branch LE/2005 represents American's non-management employees in the United Kingdom.
  • American Airlines has a combined network fleet of over 900 aircraft.
  • The company serves 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights.

Sources:

  • American Airlines press release dated February 15, 2005.
  • U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) order dated February 13, 2005.
  • Transport Workers Union of America statement.
  • Association of Professional Flight Attendants statement.
  • UNITE the Union-Branch LE/2005 statement.
  • 28 U.S. Senators' letter of support.
  • 135 U.S. Representatives' letter of support.
  • 42 Governors' letter of support.
  • 110 Mayors' letter of support.
  • 127 airports' statement of support.
  • American Airlines financial reports and statements.