Delta fires back at angry lawmakers amid NRA backlash: 'Our values are not for sale'
- Delta CEO Ed Bastian defended his company's decision to cut ties with the National Rifle Association in a memo issued to employees on Friday.
- Since Delta ended its relationship with the NRA last Sunday, the company has faced backlash from some customers and Georgia lawmakers. On Thursday, the Georgia legislature passed a bill that would end the company's jet fuel tax exemption.
- Bastian said that the company's decision to end its relationship with the NRA was not made for "economic gain" and that its "values are not for sale."
- Bastian also said that the airline was committed to its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
In a memo to employees on Friday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian defended his company's decision to cut ties with the NRA and said the airline may even end more partnerships that are politically divisive.
Since the airline ended its relationship with the NRA last Sunday, the company has faced backlash not only from some customers, but also from Georgia lawmakers.
On Thursday, the Georgia legislature passed a tax reform bill that excluded a provision that exempts airlines from paying the state's sales tax on jet fuel. The change means Delta will be losing out on a $40 million exemption. The state's Republican governor, Nathan Deal, has said he would sign the bill into law.
Despite the move by Georgia lawmakers, Bastian said in the memo that the company stands by its decision.
"While Delta's intent was to remain neutral, some elected officials in Georgia tied our decision to a pending jet fuel tax exemption, threatening to eliminate it unless we reversed course," Bastian said in the memo.
"Our decision was not made for economic gain and our values are not for sale. We are in the process of a review to end group discounts for any group of a politically divisive nature."
Bastian also said that the decision to abandon the tax exemption would not change the company's commitment to Atlanta as the location of its headquarters.
You can read Bastian's full statement below.