Aviation Coalition Calls for Emergency FAA Funding, NAS Efficiency

The letter, published online by ATCA on Tuesday, addresses Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) on both the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation.

It stated that industry stakeholders were committed to keeping recent aviation accidents from happening again and suggested several legislative changes that could help in this endeavor. Some organizations that signed the letter included the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Allied Pilots Association (APA), Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), and many more.

Key priorities outlined included more robust emergency funding for air traffic control (ATC) technology and infrastructure, as well as workforce staffing and training. The letter also advocates for the exemption of the FAA from government shutdowns to ensure continuous funding and operations. 

“A shutdown will exacerbate the air traffic controller staffing shortage by delaying an already-lengthy hiring and training process,” the letter stated.

The letter also said there was a need for modernization of ATC facilities and called for reviewing funding structures to sustain long-term tech upgrades.

“We collectively believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make significant and long overdue investments needed to raise our nation’s air traffic control system to a new, higher level,” the letter stated. “We appreciate your leadership on this issue and look forward to advancing this initiative.”