The board of Airlines for America (A4A) voted unanimously
Wednesday to remove Delta from the trade organization immediately, rather than
making the carrier observe the six-month notice period established in A4A
bylaws.
The move came two days after Delta, citing policy
disagreements with the association, had given notice that it would withdraw
from A4A on April 26.
Moving Delta out of A4A without delay will eliminate
external confusion about the organization's positions on key issues, the
association said.
“A4A is a consensus-based organization, and we are pleased
to be moving forward speaking in a unified voice on specific issues including
higher taxes, unnecessary regulations and the need for infrastructure
improvement,” said Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska Airlines and A4A’s vice chairman.
The board also voted to maintain its current budget and
agreed to cover the $5 million in annual dues that Delta had been paying.
Delta cited disagreements with A4A over the proposed
privatization of the U.S. air traffic control system as well as over
reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank in explaining its decision to leave
the group. While Delta opposes privatizing air traffic control and won't
support the Export-Import Bank without fundamental changes, A4A backs
privatization and has been silent on the bank.
Delta is also pushing for the U.S. government to crack down
on Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways for alleged violations of
international Open Skies agreements, while A4A, whose membership is deeply
divided over the matter, has not taken a position.