Norwegian - ALPA Intl. fortsetter kjøret mot Export-Import Bank

ALPA: Ex-Im Reauthorization Is Key Opportunity for Reform Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s President, Sends Letter to Congress WASHINGTON––

In a letter sent to members of Congress today, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) called for federal lawmakers to capitalize on the reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank as a key opportunity to ensure its financing practices do not harm the U.S. airline industry and its workers. “ALPA supports the reauthorization and mission of the Bank,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, in the letter. “However, in the case of widebody aircraft, the Bank’s financing decisions are harming the U.S. airline industry and its workers’ ability to compete in the global marketplace.” The union’s letter explains that the Bank has frequently provided below-market financing for the purchase of widebody aircraft to U.S. airlines’ foreign competitors that are both profitable and creditworthy. The Bank’s support can result in a $20 million per airplane financing cost savings advantage for an airline. While U.S. airlines are not eligible to receive financing, foreign airlines can use Bank-financed aircraft to compete directly with U.S. airlines on international routes. “Congress must make certain the Bank ends its practice of financing widebody aircraft for state-owned, state-supported, and credit-worthy foreign airlines,” continued Capt. Canoll. “This is simply fair and sound policy.” In the letter, ALPA’s president urged federal lawmakers to use the upcoming reauthorization as a key opportunity for reform. “As you work to reauthorize the Bank before its June 30 expiration, I urge you to consider how the Bank’s current financing practices affect the U.S. airline industry and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports,” concluded Capt. Canoll.