WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement giving its full support to Representative Frank LoBiondo’s (R–N.J.) reelection efforts. The union cited the congressman’s unwavering support for protecting U.S. airline jobs and his substantial work to improve the safety and efficiency of our national airspace as two of the many reasons ALPA supports Representative LoBiondo.
Since arriving in Congress in 1995, Congressman LoBiondo has been a tremendous champion of professional airline pilots. He has led efforts in Congress to preserve foreign ownership and control laws, which mandate that American citizens maintain a majority of the operational and financial decisions of all U.S. air carriers. These laws have been under continuous threat in recent years. Congressman LoBiondo’s stalwart support for these pillars of the American airline industry has preserved U.S. aviation’s substantial contribution to our national economy, protected well-paying jobs for U.S. airline employees, and maintained our Civil Reserve Air Fleet, a vital piece of our national defense system.
In addition to representing nearly 50,000 pilots in the United States and Canada, ALPA is also the world’s largest nongovernmental aviation safety organization. Representative LoBiondo’s leadership at the helm of the House Aviation Subcommittee in promoting the safety of our national air system is unparalleled. During the recent government shutdown, Chairman LoBiondo was an outspoken advocate for the need to keep the air traffic control systems that maintain the safety of our national air space operating at full capacity. In addition, his oversight and initiative on the Aviation Subcommittee successfully led to new federal rules on pilot fatigue and pilot training, which will significantly raise the bar on aviation safety for all commercial airline pilots. The U.S. aviation system is the safest mode of travel in the world today, in part because of Representative LoBiondo’s efforts since coming to Congress.
ALPA has successfully worked with Congressman LoBiondo over the past 18 years on numerous issues that affect the entire airline industry. His dedication to pilots, their families, and the safety of their workplace is unquestionable. Professional pilots look forward to having the congressman continue his great leadership in Washington for many years to come.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing nearly 50,000 pilots at 32 airlines in the United States and Canada.