Responds To Biden’s Remarks Made On the NBC Today Show

The Air Transport Association of America has written a response to Vice President Biden regarding his remarks made this morning on the NBC “Today” show. “Vice President Biden’s comment that people should avoid air travel in response to the H1N1 flu outbreak was extremely disappointing,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May. “The airlines have been working daily with government agencies, none of whom suggest people avoid air travel, unless they are not feeling well. The fact is that the air onboard a commercial aircraft is cleaner than that in most public buildings.”

ATA efforts on this subject have been fairly proactive... and recent statements have attempted to bring clarity to the hysterity that has been communicated all-too-often via a number of media outlets. “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/CEO James 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 added that, “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.

FMI: www.airlines.org