Statement of Doug McKeen, Senior Vice President of Employee Relations And Communications, ASTAR Air Cargo

In response to a request by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) to the National Mediation Board (NMB) to declare an impasse in the negotiations between ASTAR Air Cargo and its ALPA-represented pilots, ASTAR Air Cargo released the following statement:

“We believe that ALPA is simply wrong in asserting that the parties are at impasse; we are not. Negotiations conducted two weeks ago under the supervision of the mediator assigned by the National Mediation Board, resulted in progress in key areas of compensation and scope.

“Under the Railway Labor Act, the law that governs airline labor negotiations, the pilots union may not initiate a strike and management may not pursue a lockout without first obtaining a judgment that the parties are at impasse and then a release from the National Mediation Board. To date, the mediator overseeing our negotiations has not advised the parties that they are at impasse, nor have the parties received any indication that a release is likely in the near or distant future.

“Given these circumstances, the pilots union has no authority to strike at this time. To be clear: if the pilots union or other party were to initiate an illegal strike or other violation of the Railway Labor Act, the Company would pursue all legal remedies at its disposal.”

About ASTAR Air Cargo, Inc.

ASTAR Air Cargo, Inc. is the operating subsidiary of ASTAR Air Cargo Holdings, LLC. ASTAR Air Cargo is a licensed U.S. air carrier operating a fleet of 44 aircraft from its operational hub in Wilmington, Ohio. The airline provides all-cargo scheduled and charter services on a contract basis for the DHL Worldwide Express network and charter services on a contract basis for other customers including the U.S. military and the United States Postal Service. ASTAR Air Cargo is a participant in the United States Civil Reserve Air Fleet program supporting our national defense. Additional information can be found at www.astaraircargo.us