SWAPA Applauds Chairman LoBiondo’s Leadership on Flags of Convenience Amendment to H.R. 2997

DALLAS, June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA) is grateful for Chairman Frank LoBiondo’s unwavering commitment to the American worker and the enforcement of our Open Skies Agreements. During debate of the FAA bill, known as the 21st Century AIRR Act (H.R. 2997), SWAPA Government Affairs and our Southwest Airlines counterparts, as well as many other domestic carriers and aviation labor unions, joined forces to support an amendment offered by Chairman LoBiondo of the Aviation Subcommittee, to fix the Department of Transportation’s process for consideration of Foreign Air Carrier Permits. The text of the amendment was identical to language in a bill (H.R. 2150, the Flags of Convenience Don’t Fly Here Act) sponsored by Chairman LoBiondo. Going forward, the amendment requires permit applicants to pass a public interest test that will, among other things, require the applicant to be in full compliance with our Open Skies Agreements. 

Chairman LoBiondo’s leadership to ensure a level playing field for U.S. aviation workers is vital to the preservation of the U.S. aviation industry. Having witnessed the destruction of the U.S. maritime industry by Flags of Convenience schemes, Chairman LoBiondo understands the threat to U.S. aviation workers and aviation’s $1.6 trillion in total contributions to the U.S. economy.