Pilots union opposes immunity for American Airlines deal with BA, Iberia

Pilots union rips immunity for American Airlines

FORT WORTH, Texas — The pilots’ union at American Airlines said Friday it opposed antitrust immunity for the carrier’s proposed joint venture with British Airways and Iberia.

The Allied Pilots Association cited objections to the deal raised by European regulators, and said American refused to address job-security concerns.

Pilots fear that in joint ventures with other airlines, their own company could shift flying jobs to cheaper partners. The pilots’ union has raised concerns about American’s deal with BA and Iberia for nearly a year.

Union President Lloyd Hill said Friday that American’s management “has refused to provide industry-standard job protections for our pilots, despite APA’s concerted efforts.”

The union asked the U.S. Transportation Department to reject the airlines’ immunity bid.

With antitrust immunity, the carriers can work together on setting prices and schedules.

This summer, the Transportation Department approved a request by Continental Airlines Inc. to gain antitrust immunity to work with United, Lufthansa and Air Canada on some international service.

American, a unit of AMR Corp., argues it should get the same treatment as competitors.