Strategic Policy

Statement from A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio

December 22, 2020

WASHINGTON, December 21, 2020 — Statement from A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio:

Airlines for America (A4A), on behalf of our member airlines, applauds the U.S. Congress for passing the bipartisan Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which will provide much-needed, comprehensive relief for our country. We are especially grateful for the provisions to provide direct payroll support to U.S. airlines and protect the jobs of flight attendants, mechanics, pilots, gate agents and others.

We are appreciative of the leadership displayed in the Senate by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and in the House by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Minority Whip Steve Scalise to build consensus on this solution to address our nation’s imminent needs. We commend Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, and House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio and Ranking Member Sam Graves for recognizing the importance of protecting U.S. airline jobs and their ongoing efforts to protect these essential employees throughout this crisis. And, we are sincerely grateful for the bold leadership of Senator Susan Collins, Senator Joe Manchin and their colleagues who worked diligently to find common ground to address our nation’s critical needs.

Throughout the pandemic, U.S. airline employees have seamlessly provided essential services, including transporting medical personnel, equipment and supplies. Our employees are the backbone of the industry and our greatest resource, and carriers have been doing everything possible to protect their jobs. Now, as our nation looks toward recovery, it is more critical than ever to have our employees on the job and ready to assist.

We strongly encourage the President to act swiftly to sign the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, into law.