Durbin, Kirk to American Airlines: Keep Illinois Routes and Projects a Priority
O’Hare Modernization, downstate air service and thousands of airline jobs are critically important to Illinois economy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – In a letter to the Chairman and CEO of AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today urged the airline to make Illinois routes and projects – such as the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) and downstate air service – a priority as it moves forward with bankruptcy proceedings.
“American Airlines has a long history in Illinois: American began air service in Illinois in 1926, when Charles Lindbergh carried airmail for the U.S. Postal Service from Chicago to St. Louis,” wrote the Senators. “We believe maintaining and growing American’s presence in Illinois will be key to the future health of your company, and we stand ready to work with you to keep American Airlines in business providing the most modern, safe and efficient air travel in Illinois.”
Employing over 9,500 people throughout the state, American Airlines and American Eagle operate into and out of six airports in Illinois: Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington, Willard Airport in Champaign, Quad City International Airport in Moline, Peoria International Airport, Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. This activity generates $7.6 billion in economic impact for the State of Illinois, including nearly $1.8 billion in direct spending.
American Airlines is a key stakeholder in the OMP – a more than decade long effort to modernize and expand O’Hare airport which is expected to create 195,000 more jobs, and generate $18 billion in annual economic activity. According to the Senators, completion of the OMP is necessary to keep Chicago and the nation competitive in the 21st century economy.
They added, “In January of this year, we engaged American and United Airlines, the City of Chicago and the Department of Transportation to ensure the OMP remained on track. The agreement forged earlier this year has kept the OMP moving forward. It is essential that American’s bankruptcy does not stand in the way of this recent agreement and finishing the OMP.”
[Text of the letter is below]
November 30, 2011
Mr. Tom Horton
Chairman and CEO
AMR Corporation - American Airlines
4333 Amon Carter Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76155
Dear Mr. Horton:
We are writing regarding American Airline’s recent decision to file for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. American’s reorganization could have a significant impact on thousands of jobs, air service to downstate Illinois and the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP). As you move forward with bankruptcy, we would like to work with you to keep OMP on track and to maintain the air service, and good-paying jobs with benefits that American Airlines provides to thousands of Illinoisans.
American Airlines has a long history in Illinois: American began air service in Illinois in 1926, when Charles Lindbergh carried airmail for the U.S. Postal Service from Chicago to St. Louis. American Airlines and its code share partners now employ 9,500 people in Illinois and operate over 3,400 departures from Chicago, Bloomington, Peoria, Quad Cities, Champaign, Springfield, Quincy and Marion airports each day. We encourage you to make these workers and American’s air service to these Illinois communities a priority as you proceed through bankruptcy.
American Airlines is also critically important to Chicago and O’Hare airport. O’Hare airport is the economic engine of the Midwest. O'Hare already generates 450,000 jobs and $38 billion in economic activity for the Chicago region and the State of Illinois. However, the airport does not have the capacity to efficiently handle the air traffic of the future. That is why countless stakeholders have been involved in the effort to modernize and expand O’Hare for over a decade.
The OMP will create 195,000 more jobs, and generate $18 billion in annual economic activity. Completing the OMP is necessary to keep Chicago and the nation competitive in the 21st century economy. In January of this year, we engaged American and United Airlines, the City of Chicago and the U.S. Department of Transportation to craft an agreement that ensures the OMP remains on track. It is essential that American’s bankruptcy does not stand in the way of this recent agreement and finishing the OMP.
American Airlines entering bankruptcy is certainly unfortunate news. However, the future of American Airlines will be determined by the actions and priorities the company makes during the bankruptcy proceedings. We believe maintaining and growing American’s presence in Illinois will be key to the future health of your company, and we stand ready to work with you to keep American Airlines in business providing the most modern, safe and efficient air travel in Illinois.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin Mark Kirk
U.S. Senator U.S. Senator
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