A Statement From Nancy Holtzman -- Executive Director
Association of Corporate Travel Executives

(August 30, 2002)

"With so much of the nation's economy tied to transportation and business travel, the financial health of the airlines is a critical part of the country's recovery. Airlines in the United States are regarded as a national business asset, but it's important to remember they are not public utilities. There is nothing in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, or the Ten Commandments to regulate airline pricing, or the appearance of fairness in airline pricing.

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives believes the recent action taken by US Airways -- in creating a divergent pricing structure -- is actually a step toward airfare reform. The association regrets that this decision was made without broader industry discussion or dialogue, however. A shot in the dark is seldom accurate. In essence, US Airways is making a simple statement: "To get more, or to get what you've become accustomed to, you must pay what we say it's worth." Corporate America will either support that statement or vote with its feet.

"ACTE believes that this is just the first of many pricing actions that will be taken by the airlines. Hopefully, these future actions will be based on industry dialogue. Comments and statements from our members on the current situation are mounting. We will continue to monitor the impact of the US Airways action."