Pilot Unions at American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia and Finnair issue statement

The DOT's approval follows the recent decision by the European Commission to likewise grant antitrust immunity to the three carriers.

"We anticipate that trans-Atlantic regulatory approval of antitrust immunity will now lead to the implementation of the joint business agreement (JBA) between American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Royal Jordanian."

In response, the unions representing the pilots that fly for American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia and Finnair issued the following joint statement:

"We anticipate that trans-Atlantic regulatory approval of antitrust immunity will now lead to the implementation of the joint business agreement (JBA) between American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Royal Jordanian.

"In response, the Allied Pilots Association (APA), British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA-BA Company Council), Sindicato Español de Pilotos de Lineas Aereas (SEPLA) and Suomen Liikennelentäjäliitto/Finnish Airline Pilots' Association (SLL) have been working closely to develop a mutual approach to promoting the job security and career prospects of all our members in the United States and Europe.

"We acknowledge that our employers have a legitimate interest in seeking significant economic benefits from a JBA, which has also been described as a 'virtual merger' ─ including sharing revenue on specific routes, cooperating on pricing and jointly marketing their services. In turn, it is essential that our employers acknowledge our respective members' legitimate interests in job security and in ensuring the fair distribution of any economic benefits.

"To achieve our aims, we are committed to maintaining and furthering the close cooperation between APA, BALPA-BACC, SEPLA-Iberia and SLL ─ all founding members of the Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition ─ while simultaneously respecting the autonomy and rights of each association.

"We have also agreed to meet regularly and establish an ongoing exchange of information relevant to the proposed JBA, including details of our collective bargaining agreements, national laws and regulations and current and proposed flying in the area covered by the JBA. Finally, and most importantly, we have agreed to develop and implement a mutual approach to protect the interests of all APA, BALPA-BACC, SEPLA-Iberia and SLL members."