The CEO of American Airlines said he’s “eager to meet” with the NAACP to discuss their recently issued travel advisory for black passengers.
“We were disappointed to learn of a travel advisory issued by the NAACP regarding American Airlines,” Doug Parker said in a memo to employees. “The mission statement of the NAACP states that it ‘seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination.’ That’s a mission that the people of American Airlines endorse and facilitate every day – we do not and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind.”
He went on to say that they have “reached out to the NAACP and are eager to meet with them to listen to their issues and concerns.”
As we previously reported, the civil rights organization warns black travelers to be careful because their “safety and well being” might be compromised if they choose to fly with the airline.
Roommates, check out Doug Parker’s full memo below.
Dear Fellow Team Members,
Of all the really important things our team members do – and that list is long – bringing people together is at the top. We fly over borders, walls and stereotypes to connect people from different races, religions, nationalities, economic backgrounds and sexual orientations. We make the world a smaller, more inclusive place. And we do it professionally and safely every day for more than 500,000 customers across five continents.
So, we were disappointed to learn of a travel advisory issued by the NAACP regarding American Airlines. The mission statement of the NAACP states that it “seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination.” That’s a mission that the people of American Airlines endorse and facilitate every day – we do not and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We have reached out to the NAACP and are eager to meet with them to listen to their issues and concerns.
As we work through this in concert with the NAACP, please keep doing the great and noble work you always do: treat our customers and each other with respect; connect diverse groups of people with each other and allow them to see the world; make the world a smaller and more open place; and do it professionally and safely.
TSR STAFF: Myeisha E. @myeisha.essex on IG
Photo: Robert Alexander @gettyimages
