Release #: 21.15
March 11, 2021

American Rescue Plan Positions Aviation Industry to Help Lead Nation’s Economic Recovery

McLEAN, Va.—Capt. Joe DePete, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement today after President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law. The historic proworker legislation provides a $14 billion extension of the Payroll Support Program through September 30, 2021, saving tens of thousands of aviation workers from furlough.

“During this global pandemic, ALPA pilots have repeatedly demonstrated their essential role by keeping supply chains moving and delivering medical staff and equipment around the world. And today, these same pilots remain on the frontlines as they to deliver shipments of vaccines, which day-by-day gets us one step closer to emerging from this crisis.

“ALPA is grateful to President Biden for his leadership and the support of all those on Capitol Hill who supported the American Rescue Plan, which will help stabilize the U.S. airline industry and protect its frontline workers.

“Thanks to this bill, tens of thousands of airline workers and their families will avoid the prospect of finding themselves in the unemployment line or worrying about how they will pay their bills. Instead, they will be ready for takeoff and well-positioned to help lead our nation’s economic recovery.”

CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org

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Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 59,000 pilots at 35 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.