2008-02-27 20:43:38 -

- The Allied Pilots Association (APA), collective bargaining agent for the 12,000 pilots of American Airlines (NYSE: AMR), expressed its "unequivocal support" for British Airways' pilots in the ongoing outsourcing dispute at the UK carrier.

British Airways has announced a new, stand-alone airline named OpenSkies scheduled to operate between New York and Paris beginning in June, using a single

Boeing 757 configured with 82 seats in premium business, business and coach classes. Further plans call for six 757s by the end of next year. Pilots for OpenSkies will not be drawn from the existing British Airways pilots' seniority list.

"As far as outsourcing is concerned, the British Airways pilots' struggle is our struggle," said APA President Captain Lloyd Hill. "Accordingly, we have pledged a broad range of support to our fellow pilots at British Airways, including personnel and financial resources, to help resist plans by their airline's management to establish an alter ego operation."

Eighty-six percent of British Airways pilots recently voted to authorize a strike in response to management's plans for OpenSkies. A strike would be the first in almost 30 years for British Airways pilots.

"Our pilots have experienced firsthand the career damage brought about by outsourcing," Hill said. "We stand foursquare behind our British Airways colleagues in their efforts to stop this threat to our collective livelihoods."

Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association--the largest independent pilot union in the U.S.--is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 12,000 pilots of American Airlines, including 2,218 pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union's Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org.

American Airlines is the nation's largest passenger carrier and fifth-largest cargo carrier.

Allied Pilots Association
Captain Karl Schricker, 817-302-2350/214-957-5275
or
Gregg Overman, 817-302-2250/817-312-3901