Southwest Airlines Pilots Announce New FOC Bill

DALLAS, April 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) announced today the introduction of H.R. 2150, The Flags of Convenience Don't Fly Here Act into the House of Representatives. The bill looks to protect the millions of aviation workers employed in the aviation industry from the Flag of Convenience scheme that decimated the maritime industry. 

Presented to the House in a bipartisan effort led by Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Drew Ferguson (R-GA), the bill will prevent further Flag of Convenience carriers from infiltrating the U.S. market. "Chairman LoBiondo, Ranking Member DeFazio, Ranking Member Larsen and Representative Ferguson are true champions of the American worker and the U.S. aviation industry," said SWAPA President Jon Weaks. "We look forward to the quick passage of this bill, as it not only protects the interests of the pilots of Southwest Airlines, but the livelihoods of all American workers employed in aviation."

H.R. 2150 directs the DOT to ensure that any new carrier seeking a Foreign Carrier Permit is not operating under a Flag of Convenience model. Furthermore, the DOT must ensure compliance with Article 17 Bis of the U.S.-E.U.-Norway-Iceland Air Transportation Agreement and the labor standards and fair competition protections it provides is satisfied prior to granting any new European carrier a permit.

SWAPA understands the value of Open Skies agreements and the opportunities they provide when all carriers play by the rules. We look forward to competing in the international marketplace but will not stand by and watch foreign competitors decimate our industry through flags of convenience schemes or unfair government subsidies. 

Located in Dallas, Texas, the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) is a non-profit employee organization representing the more than 8,500 pilots of Southwest Airlines. SWAPA works to provide a secure and rewarding career for Southwest pilots and their families through negotiating contracts, defending contractual rights and actively promoting professionalism and safety. For more information on the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association, visit www.swapa.org.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association

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http://www.swapa.org