NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON , April 28, 2009 – The Air Transport Association of America, (ATA) the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today commented on recent developments related to swine influenza.
“The safety and security of employees and passengers is our number-one priority –airlines have a long history of monitoring and preparing for communicable diseases like swine flu,” said ATA president and CEO James C. May. “Travelers should and airline employees are taking the situation seriously, but no one should panic. Everyone should use the common-sense measures provided by CDC. Airlines continue to follow CDC recommendations for their employee procedures, which include monitoring and reporting any case of communicable disease onboard aircraft.”
May continued, “While the CDC issued a ‘travel health warning’ advising people to postpone nonessential travel to Mexico, it has not called for restricting flights. Likewise, the World Health Organization recommended not to close borders and not to restrict international travel. ATA and the airlines will continue our close coordination with various governmental agencies and will respond as developments occur.”
ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For additional industry information, visit www.airlines.org.
Editor’s Note: Additionally, ATA will continue to keep the Swine Influenza: Airline Industry Information and Related Links Web page updated with ATA comments and facts, and related government links
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