Pilots defend position as US aims to ‘purge DEI from skies’

> The Air Line Pilots Association has defended its pilot members after the Trump administration issued a new mandate to “purge DEI from our skies”.

> On February 13, 2026, the US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ordered a new mandatory ‘Operations Specification’, requiring all commercial airlines to formally commit to merit-based hiring for pilots.

> Since US President Donald Trump returned to power in January 2025, his administration has taken a combative approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) framework, which is designed to promote fair treatment of all, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.

> With the new mandate in place, US airlines will be required to certify that any DEI approach to hiring is terminated with a failure to do so warranting federal investigation.
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/alpa-pilots-faa-dei-merit-based-hiring #Trump #DEI #Aviation #FAA #Pilots #Airlines #DiversityEquityInclusion #Airlines