STATEMENT
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2005 – Always concerned about the health of passengers and employees, U.S. airlines have addressed some questions about communicable diseases, like avian influenza currently getting attention in the news. Airlines have always stayed abreast of diseases in any part of the world where they provide service, and have been monitoring avian flu in Asia for more than a year. They are keeping current with developments there and elsewhere regarding this emerging disease, to ensure they are prepared.
The Air Transport Association (ATA) and its member airlines have a long history of cooperation and coordination with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in responding to the threat of communicable diseases, and we continue to work to ensure procedures are in place to control the spread of disease by air travel.
ATA has well-established networks to quickly and efficiently disseminate information about emerging public health risks to its members. Airlines have also worked to improve mechanisms for providing the CDC with information about passengers who may have been exposed to illness during a flight.
ATA airline members transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic.
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