The three carriers were recently granted antitrust immunity by U.S. and EU authorities and have also entered into a joint business venture. The pilot unions released the following prepared statement concerning their mutuality agreement:
"Our airlines are faced with a dynamic industry environment. We understand their desire to maximize the potential of their commercial agreements with each other. It's also clear that we must take steps to protect the legitimate career expectations of the pilots we respectively represent. Mutual cooperation and unity of purpose are essential to protect our pilots' professional interests in relation to any joint business venture between our respective airlines. We recognize the potential threats of outsourcing in the current commercial environment and are committed to working together using all appropriate industrial, legal and other means to resist any attempt to outsource pilot jobs.
"We have therefore entered into a mutuality agreement to facilitate information exchange and the development of a common strategy to help ensure a fair distribution of job opportunities among our respective pilot groups. This mutuality agreement will remain in effect as long as the joint business venture and joint operations of our airlines continue."
That is the full text of the statement.
Fort Worth, Texas-based Allied Pilots Association represents the pilots of American Airlines.
Based in London, the British Airways Company Council of the British Air Line Pilots Association represents the pilots who fly for British Airways.
Sindicato Español de Pilotos de Lineas Aereas-Iberia is based in Madrid and represents the pilots of Iberia.
APA Gregg Overman, 817-302-2250/817-312-3901 or BALPA Keith Bill, +44 (0) 7968 528 527 or SEPLA Ana Serrano, +34 609 771 460
Source: Allied Pilots Association and British Airways Company Council of the British Airline Pilots' Association and Sindicato Español de Pilotos de Lineas Aereas-Iberia
