U.S. Senator Kirk calls for investigation into report alleging religious discrimination at Delta Airlines
Washington, DC – Following a USA Today report alleging that Delta Airlines and Saudi Arabia entered into an agreement barring American Jews from flying into the country, United States Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration Administrator J. Randolph Babbit requesting an immediate investigation to determine whether Delta violated American law. According to the report, the agreement prohibits American Jews from flying solely on the basis of their religion – a direct violation of the Constitution.
Senator Kirk writes, “I request your investigation into this matter to determine whether Delta Airlines violated U.S. law or regulation and to ensure no U.S. citizen is denied their right to fly solely on the basis of their religion. Since a core mission of the FAA is to promote civil aviation, I would expect the FAA to use its full statutory and regulatory power to ensure that America’s civil airways are not restricted for persons regardless of faith.â€
The full text of the letter follows:
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June 24, 2011
J. Randolph Babbitt
Administrator
Federation Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591
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Dear Administrator Babbitt:
I am deeply concerned by the June 23, 2011, report in USA Today entitled “U.S. Jews not able to fly on Delta flights to Saudi Arabia.†According to the report, Delta Airlines may have entered into an agreement with Saudi Arabia that prohibits Americans of the Jewish faith from flying solely on the basis of their religion.  If true, this policy appears to violate the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause while undermining the purpose of the Federal Aviation Administration – to promote the safety and expansion of U.S. civil aviation.
I request your investigation into this matter to determine whether Delta Airlines violated U.S. law or regulation and to ensure no U.S. citizen is denied their right to fly solely on the basis of their religion. Since a core mission of the FAA is to promote civil aviation, I would expect the FAA to use its full statutory and regulatory power to ensure that America’s civil airways are not restricted for persons regardless of faith.
Sincerely,
Mark Kirk
US Senate
