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Update: On February 21, 2019, Delta CEO Ed Bastian was interviewed by the New York Times. He told them the following about his decision to end discounts to NRA members:
“My first reaction when I learned about the discount was, “Why are we doing this?” And we made a quick decision that this wasn’t something that was providing any value to the company, and we just needed to eliminate it. We were being drawn into this national debate over something that was really insignificant from a financial perspective. It wasn’t an anti-N.R.A. stance or pro-gun-control stance. The [Georgia] statehouse had just approved eliminating a tax that was one of the highest jet fuel tax rates in the country. But then the N.R.A. came at us hard, and went after the state representatives, and they decided not to go ahead with the elimination of the tax, which was going to cost us $40 million … I went to our communications team and asked them to draft a statement for me. What came back just wasn’t my words. So I threw it away and sat down and wrote it myself. And it was from my heart. It was more than a business decision for me. It got personal. You try to detach your personal emotions from your business, but there’s a point where you can’t anymore.”
Thanks to everyone who took this action and reinforced ED Bastian’s decision to break ties with the NRA!
On March 2, 2018, Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian made a defiant statement to the Georgia Governor and state legislature: “Our values are not for sale.”
Bastian was responding to a campaign led by Georgia Republican Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle to punish Delta for its recent decision to end discounts for NRA members. Georgia Republicans accomplished the feat by adding an amendment to a tax bill that eliminates a tax break on jet fuel. That bill was signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal.
Bastian made it clear in his statement that Delta was upset by the NRA’s response to the mass shooting in Parkland and believed the NRA to be a “politically divisive” group that it no longer wished to associate with.
This is what drove Georgia Republicans to act in a blatantly corrupt manner and openly punish the airlines for dismissing its friend and financial patron, the NRA.
Now we’re going to have Delta’s back like there’s no tomorrow. Please take one or more of the following actions:
1) Fly Delta on an upcoming trip and let them know you are flying with them specifically because they decided to stop giving discounts to NRA members.
2) Contact Delta CEO Edward Bastian through one of the channels below and give him the following message (personalized to your liking):
Ed, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate Delta’s decision to end discounts for NRA members. You did the right thing, and I promise you that every time I book a trip from here on out, I will remember Delta. The Georgia legislature might have punished you, Ed, but the people of America are going to reward Delta Airlines for what you did and keep climbing.
Delta CEO Edward Bastian
Phone: (404) 715-2600
Email: ed.bastian@delta.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delta/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Delta
3) Contact the Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Tourism Board, Kevin Langston, through one of the channels below and share the following message with him (personalized to your liking):
I was horrified to learn that Georgia’s legislature and governor decided to punish Delta Airlines with the repeal of a tax incentive on behalf of a treasonous (Putin), violent, white supremacist organization like the National Rifle Association. Like the overwhelming majority of Americans, I can disgusted by the way the NRA has reacted to the mass shooting in Parkland. Then I started to read about Georgia’s “Guns Everywhere” laws and grew even more disturbed. I can assure you that I will not be spending a single tourist dollar in your state—ever—until Georgia’s “leaders” change their priorities and demonstrate a responsibility for the public’s well-being and safety.
Georgia Tourism Commissioner Kevin Langston
Phone: (404) 962-4000
Email: KLangston@Georgia.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExploreGeorgia/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExploreGeorgia
Once you have taken one or more of the above actions, click the orange banner below to report taking action!