posted on January 30, 2020 14:42

Presidential Directive — Coronavirus

Pilots,

At my direction, the Allied Pilots Association filed a lawsuit this afternoon seeking the immediate halt to all American Airlines flights between the United States and China. Click these links to see the filing and an associated press release.

Here are the facts:

The coronavirus is a highly contagious disease that is nowhere near being fully understood, let alone contained.

On Jan. 28, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded its travel advisory to avoid all nonessential travel to China.

The U.S. government has evacuated more than 200 personnel assigned to Wuhan, China, back to the United States for screening.

British Airways, Air Canada, Lufthansa, and other carriers have already suspended flights into China.

Today, the first documented case of coronavirus transmission in the United States occurred in Chicago.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the epidemic an “international public health emergency.”

Consistent with our lawsuit, I am directing all APA pilots to cease flight operations between the United States and China. Until further notice, if you are scheduled, assigned, or reassigned a pairing into China, decline the assignment by calling your Chief Pilot or IOC Duty Pilot (682-315-4340). Inform them you are declining in accordance with the CDC and WHO declarations.

If you are currently in China on a trip, you should complete your sequence as scheduled to depart the country, and decline any further flights into China.

If you have any questions regarding this directive, please contact your domicile representatives, who are fully aware of the situation and prepared to assist.