American pilots’ union chief says United CEO’s merger vision showed ‘bold vision’

Head of American Airlines‘ the pilots’ union told members that United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby’s merger vision reflected the kind of “bold vision” the carrier needs, as the union stands to approve a connection between the two airlines.

In an email to pilots on Monday, seen by Reuters, Allied Pilots Association President Nick Silva said Kirby’s opinion could be “transformational” for passengers, communities and American Airlines pilots.

Silva’s message shows how Kirby’s rejected request has become a new pressure within America. The APA does not support mergers, but its president is using the idea to argue that America needs an ambitious strategy and strong leadership to close the gap with rivals.

“(Kirby) presented a bold vision for the future of aviation that could be transformative for our passengers, the communities we serve, and, most importantly, the very Americans our C-suite has chosen to disdain: you,” Silva wrote.

American did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.

United said last month it had completed its merger with American after a rival refused to get involved following the first approach. American said a merger with United would be bad for competition and consumers.

For years, America has been stuck Delta Air Lines and United on benefit. Its unions have turned that gap into a governance issue, pressuring the company’s board of directors to hold itself accountable.

In February, the APA urged the American board to take “decisive action” and requested a meeting with the full board. The union of airline workers in this airline also issued a vote of no confidence in Chief Executive Robert Isom and demanded that the leadership be changed.

Public calls by labor groups for leadership change are rare outside of formal contract negotiations. American unions have coordinated airline operations with strategy and execution.

Silva urged American pilots to read Kirby’s message, saying the United chief explained why he believed the merger could transform both airlines and withstand legal scrutiny.

While Kirby’s opinion may remain only “wishful thinking” for now, Silva argued his wish highlighted how far American was lagging behind domestic and international rivals.

Silva said the APA’s message focused on management’s lack of a long-term strategy, the “unacceptable” state of the airline, and the union’s openness to “any way forward” that would allow pilots to work for an airline that values ​​them and is “not just competitive but leading the industry.”

“It is clear that it will take bold ideas and real leadership to restore America to a real place of prominence among global airlines,” he wrote.

Kirby raised the idea of ​​working with the Americans during a late February meeting with Trump scheduled to discuss the future of Washington’s Dulles airport, sources told Reuters last month.

The idea came amid growing competition among carriers, including Chicago, but they face antitrust hurdles because of their concentration in major markets. Trump also said he does not support the merger of the two administrations.

Silva said he hopes that all other options that could move America forward will receive a full review from senior management rather than being “quickly dismissed on the defensive.”

In his email, Silva also suggested that APA is being contacted by people interested in alternatives to America’s future. He said American executives recently asked if anyone was trying to “acquire APA pilots through another program” for the airline.

“That answer is ‘Yes,'” Silva wrote.

He did not identify who was behind those efforts or whether they were connected to United.