Restoration of Eastern Airlines.—

Sec. 406. Restoration of Eastern Airlines.— (a) Findings.—The Senate finds that— (1) the operations of Eastern Airlines have been substantially shut down since March 4, 1989, by a strike by the International Association of Machinists with the support of pilots and flight attendant unions; (2) Eastern Airlines filed a petition under chapter 11 of title 11, United States Code, on March 9, 1989; (3) Texas Air Corporation, which controls Eastern Airlines, had negotiated for the sale of Eastern; (4) the organized employees of Eastern had agreed to provide a potential new owner with substantial wage concessions; (5) the deregulation of the airline industry by Congress was predicated on the anticipated continued existence of strong, independent airlines, such as Eastern Airlines; (6) the Bankruptcy Court has the power to appoint an independent trustee to manage Eastern’s return to operation during the interim period, leading up to the consummation of the sale agreement and transfer of control to a potential owner; and (7) the return of Eastern Airlines to full operation is in the public interest and in the best interest of the creditors, employees, and customers of Eastern as well as the economies of the communities, States and regions of the United States that Eastern serves. (b) Sense of senate.—It is the sense of the Senate that the Bankruptcy Court and all involved parties should facilitate the prompt and safe restoration of Eastern Airlines to foil operations through all appropriate action, which may or may not include appointment of an independent trustee, pending sale of the company.