Airline trade group’s message right on target

In its bid to reverse air traffic controllers’ furloughs, Airlines for America focused on the inconvenience to passengers and other customers, with a nod to the industry’s concerns.

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Sure, there has been a lot of talk about Congress members’ being inconvenienced—and that probably played a part in the legislators’ lightning-fast decision to end the furloughs—but the communication strategy of the organization and its spokesperson, Jean Medina, was effective and focused.

Medina was all over focusing on ending the furloughs in the interests of not only the airlines but, more important, the traveling public.

She consistently brought the argument back to how it affected airline passengers. Though honest in including the benefits to airlines, she managed to put the public first in pushing for an end to the furloughs.

This is impressive, as most trade groups tend to put their members first and the people their members serve second.

Not this time for Airlines for America.

On Friday, April 19, two days prior to the furloughs beginning, Medina said:

“We find ourselves with little choice but to actively review all of our legal options to protect our passengers and shippers from being needlessly impacted.”

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