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American's flight attendants union backs joint venture with British Airways Fort Worth Star Telegram

29.10.09

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With a government deadline approaching, American Airlines’ flight attendants union said Thursday that it favors a proposed joint venture between the Fort Worth-based carrier and British Airways. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants is urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve the carriers’ application for antitrust immunity, adding that the move to coordinate operations would provide "greater security for our members." "We are supporting this effort because we understand the tough competitive landscape that our airline operates in every day, and that without the antitrust immunity we will be at a competitive disadvantage," said union President Laura Glading. The union wrote to the department and the European Commission, saying trans-Atlantic capacity for the SkyTeam and Star Alliance airline groupings grew significantly, compared with American, after they secured antitrust immunity. American said it applauds the union’s decision to support an effort that will not only lead to a "stronger company but will also provide competitive choices for trans-Atlantic air travel for consumers through approval of a third immunized, airline alliance." The Transportation Department is expected to make a decision by Saturday, but industry analysts say it could be later this year before the government makes any announcement. The proposed joint venture among American, British Airways and Iberia would allow the carriers to coordinate operations, marketing, schedules and other aspects of trans-Atlantic service. This is the third time that American and British Airways have sought an antitrust exemption from government regulators in the United States and in Europe. The Transport Workers Union said last summer that it supported the joint venture, while the Allied Pilots Association has strongly opposed the application. This month, the pilots held an informational picket in front of the Transportation Department headquarters in Washington, saying the alliance could cost pilots’ jobs and lead to increased foreign control of U.S. carriers.

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