Delta CEO Won’t Be Drawn Into Debate About Georgia Abortion Bill

Georgia has signed a controversial bill that could potentially allow the state the power to stop abortions in the first weeks after conception. Many major companies have stepped forward to voice their stance on the subject, but Delta CEO Ed Bastian says that his carrier won’t be drawn into the fray.

The state of Georgia has signed a controversial piece of legislation that could potentially give the state the power to prohibit abortion in the first few weeks after conception. Many major companies have stepped forward to voice their opinion on the bill, but Ed Bastian, the CEO of Delta Air Lines, says that his carrier will not be drawn into the widespread debate on the topic.

Offering his comments at Vox’s Media Code conference earlier this week, Bastian was quoted by Business Insider as saying, “We are headquartered [in Georgia]. It’s obviously become a big issue. It’s an incredibly emotional issue. There are a lot of people on both sides of this issue.”

“We carry 200 million people a year, we have 80,000 employees. We cannot as a company take one group and put it over another group when you’ve got such an emotional — some would say almost religious — view as to what the right answer is,” he added.

Bastian further stated that, “And whichever way you go on the topic, you’re going to alienate millions, tens of millions, of people. This is an issue that is uncomfortable.” Despite Bastian’s reticence on the subject, many other companies – including Disney, Ben & Jerry’s and Tinder – have gone public with their opinions.

He also said that this controversial subject, “…is something that the courts need to settle and resolve, not corporate America. At least for us. I can’t win.”

Georgia’s bill has not yet become a law, but if legally enforced, it would prohibit abortion upon the detection of a fetal heartbeat, which usually occurs about five weeks into pregnancy.

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