Release #: 21.14
March 06, 2021

ALPA Applauds Passage of American Rescue Plan

Vital, Proworker Legislation Will Position 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 after the U.S. Senate passed the American Rescue Plan, which will provide a $14 billion extension of the Payroll Support Program through September 30, 2021.

“ALPA is grateful for the dedication by congressional leaders to ensure that the U.S. aviation industry remains positioned to help our nation recover from the COVID-19 crisis. By passing the American Rescue Plan, tens of thousands of aviation workers will remain on company payroll and off unemployment as intended by this worker-first program. This important aspect of the overall legislation will help keep our aviation industry poised to quickly respond to increased operations as demand returns.

“From the onset of the pandemic, U.S. airline pilots and crewmembers have been on the job transporting medical personnel to outbreak hotspots and keeping global supply chains, including medical supplies, moving. Airline pilots have done their part not only to assist this nation through the pandemic, but also to help our industry weather the economic storm.

“ALPA looks forward to President Biden signing this historic legislation to stabilize the U.S. airline industry and make certain that the frontline workers who have kept airlines moving safely each and every day also share in the economic relief the industry receives.”

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.

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