Contact: Charles Barnes 314-725-4484
Friday, February 9, 2001

ST. LOUIS - Senator Kit Bond told TWA employees today that he would continue to do everything in his power to make sure that TWA jobs and the airline’s presence in Missouri survive.

“I am not only a faithful TWA passenger, I am also the airline’s greatest supporter,” said Bond.

In recent days, Bond has testified before the Senate Commerce and Senate Judiciary Committees in support of TWA’s acquisition by American. Earlier this week, Bond also led the Missouri Congressional delegation in an urgent plea to Attorney General John Ashcroft to speed up the federal review of competition issues related to the acquisition.

Bond’s recent work on behalf of TWA workers and local TWA passengers are the latest in a long series of moves on behalf of the airline.

“I have been through a lot with TWA including the two bankruptcies and the Icahn years," said Bond. “TWA has always survived thanks to its great workforce. However, despite the heroic efforts by current TWA employees and management, it is now clear that the airline can not survive on its own. For TWA, its employees, for St. Louis, Kansas City and the entire state, and for the traveling public, it is critical that we keep that ‘survival spirit’ going to ensure a smooth landing for the TWA employees," Bond said. Senator Bond’s priorities are to maintain TWA service; protect the 20,000 Missouri jobs, and preserve the St. Louis hub and Kansas City overhaul base.

TWA is the seventh largest Missouri employer, with approximately 20,000 workers, 9,000 of which live and work in the St. Louis metro area. The airline operates almost 1000 departures from and arrivals to Lambert International Airport each day. TWA’s St. Louis hub has long been a key part of the St. Louis and Missouri economies. Bond congratulated TWA employees on turning the airline around in recent years. "Your hard work and dedication has changed TWA into airline everyone wants," he said.