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ALPA Welcomes Release of Pilot Fatigue Rule

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement after the release of the Federal Aviation Administration’s final regulations regarding airline pilot flight- and duty-time limitations and minimum rest requirements.

“Today’s pilot fatigue rule release marks historic progress in what must be an unrelenting commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards throughout the airline industry. The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), is gratified that the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration have delivered on their pledge, and a Congressional mandate, to issue new flight- and duty-time regulations and minimum rest requirements for airline pilots.

“For decades, ALPA has fought for regulations that are based on modern science; apply equally to all types of airline operations, including domestic, international, and supplemental; and enable air carriers to establish Fatigue Risk Management Systems. Among its most recent actions to combat pilot fatigue, ALPA co-chaired the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee, which made recommendations to the government regarding this important rule, with the determined goal of advancing safety.

“While the new rule brings much-needed science-based improvements in flight and duty regulations, ALPA is disappointed that cargo operations are being held to a lesser standard. In the coming days, ALPA will analyze the regulations to determine how they will meet the union’s long-standing goals for addressing pilot fatigue and ensuring that airline pilots will be well positioned to arrive at work rested and ready to perform their jobs. ALPA will continue to strongly advocate for One Level of Safety for all types of flight operations and across the airline industry.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 53,000 pilots at 37 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.