WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) International President Veda Shook issued the following statement today after Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) announced an agreement on the 21st extension of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that will put an end to the partial shutdown of the agency responsible for the safety of civil aviation:

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"We applaud Senate Majority Leader Reid for his bipartisan effort to get 75,000 hardworking women and men back to work and finally put an end this shutdown. The work they do for our nation's transportation system is vital to the future of our members' jobs and the communities we live in.

"Additionally, AFA appreciates the work of U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood whose tireless championing of the agency's employees and their vital work was the voice of reason in a sea of insanity.

"Over the past two weeks, the FAA has lost nearly $400 million in revenue that could have supported essential projects. It is shameful that in such difficult economic times, several Congressional leaders chose to play games and jeopardize the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Americans and their families as well as the long-term viability of the aviation industry. This shutdown was irresponsible and reckless.

"We look forward to the re-opening of FAA and the ability for all those affected to return to work. However, this extension is a temporary solution. When Congress reconvenes, they must get serious and pass a comprehensive funding bill that allows the FAA to move forward on vital safety and airport improvement projects that will help to enhance the world's greatest aviation system."

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world's largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for over 65 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions.  Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants at 23 airlines come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.

SOURCE Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA)