Press Release Source: Allied Pilots Association
Allied Pilots Association Authorizes Immediate Contractual Changes Allowing American Airlines to Operate DFW-Beijing Flights
Thursday November 16, 3:18 pm ET
'We are pleased to be part of developing this new market opportunity'
FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Allied Pilots Association (APA), collective bargaining agent for the 13,000 pilots of American Airlines (NYSE:AMR - News), has authorized American Airlines to immediately begin flight operations between Dallas-Fort Worth and Beijing, China, pending the Department of Transportation's decision on route authority for new China service. The DOT is expected to announce within the next several weeks which of four carriers vying for new China service--American, Continental, Northwest or United--will be granted the route authority.
"APA recognizes how valuable DFW-Beijing service would be to American Airlines, north Texas and the broad domestic and international network our airline serves through its DFW hub," said APA President Captain Ralph Hunter. "We are pleased to be a part of our airline's effort to develop this new market opportunity."
APA presented American Airlines management with a signed letter of agreement today that authorizes DFW-Beijing service. The current APA-American Airlines collective bargaining agreement contains language governing extended long-haul flying such as DFW-Beijing on a city pair-specific basis only, which means airline management must secure an agreement with APA for this new service. This letter of agreement specifies what the pilots will receive in exchange for providing the necessary contractual relief.
"We are seeking a number of no-cost items for our pilots, while the minimal cost associated with the remaining items will be more than offset by the additional revenue and cost savings potential our agreement will generate," said Hunter. "Given our pilots' role as critical partners in our airline's ongoing recovery, we are confident that American Airlines will acknowledge this agreement as a fair exchange of value.
"With the stroke of a pen, American Airlines can signal to the DOT that it is ready and willing to operate DFW-Beijing," said Hunter.
Founded in 1963, APA is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. There are currently 2,852 American Airlines pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union's Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the nation's largest passenger carrier.
Allied Pilots Association Authorizes Immediate Contractual Changes Allowing American Airlines to Operate DFW-Beijing Flights
Thursday November 16, 3:18 pm ET
'We are pleased to be part of developing this new market opportunity'
FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Allied Pilots Association (APA), collective bargaining agent for the 13,000 pilots of American Airlines (NYSE:AMR - News), has authorized American Airlines to immediately begin flight operations between Dallas-Fort Worth and Beijing, China, pending the Department of Transportation's decision on route authority for new China service. The DOT is expected to announce within the next several weeks which of four carriers vying for new China service--American, Continental, Northwest or United--will be granted the route authority.
"APA recognizes how valuable DFW-Beijing service would be to American Airlines, north Texas and the broad domestic and international network our airline serves through its DFW hub," said APA President Captain Ralph Hunter. "We are pleased to be a part of our airline's effort to develop this new market opportunity."
APA presented American Airlines management with a signed letter of agreement today that authorizes DFW-Beijing service. The current APA-American Airlines collective bargaining agreement contains language governing extended long-haul flying such as DFW-Beijing on a city pair-specific basis only, which means airline management must secure an agreement with APA for this new service. This letter of agreement specifies what the pilots will receive in exchange for providing the necessary contractual relief.
"We are seeking a number of no-cost items for our pilots, while the minimal cost associated with the remaining items will be more than offset by the additional revenue and cost savings potential our agreement will generate," said Hunter. "Given our pilots' role as critical partners in our airline's ongoing recovery, we are confident that American Airlines will acknowledge this agreement as a fair exchange of value.
"With the stroke of a pen, American Airlines can signal to the DOT that it is ready and willing to operate DFW-Beijing," said Hunter.
Founded in 1963, APA is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. There are currently 2,852 American Airlines pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union's Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the nation's largest passenger carrier.
