Says FAA Oversight, Congressional Investigation Needed

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) said Monday it is demanding that Delta Air Lines end its partnership with Saudi Arabian Airlines, owned by the Saudi government, which embraces discriminatory policies targeting Jews, Christians and women. The ACLJ, which has mobilized both legal and legislative teams, is also calling for the FAA to get involved, and for Congress to probe this troubling deal.

"For Delta to form a business relationship with a country that has a disturbing record of human rights violations is not only problematic, but warrants further scrutiny from the federal government and Congress," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. "Delta says it does not discriminate in its business practices, but then says it cannot control what other nations do.  Delta can't have it both ways.  If you choose to do business with a government that discriminates on the basis of religion, ethnicity, and gender - you simply cannot brush it aside.  We're calling for FAA oversight of this deal and a Congressional investigation.  Delta can do the right thing - and cancel this business relationship, and it should."

Delta announced the partnership with Saudi Arabian Airlines in January and issued this release: "We are honored that Saudi Arabian has chosen to link its future growth and success with Delta and our SkyTeam partners, while bringing our alliance greater access to destinations across the Middle East."

Under this new alliance, the ACLJ says they are concerned that American Jews will be prohibited from flying into the country, and that non-Jews with an Israeli stamp in their passport could be targeted. They further speculate that U.S. citizens who are Christian could face discrimination in Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia where Sharia Law is embraced.

Late last week, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) sent a letter to the FAA requesting a probe into this matter "to determine whether Delta Air Lines violated U.S. law or regulation and to ensure no U.S. citizen is denied their right to fly solely on the basis of their religion."

"We believe this is an issue of the utmost importance and we're confident members of Congress will want to examine this transaction and relationship very closely, as they should," said Sekulow.

FMI: www.aclj.org