Washington, DC, December 20, 2024 – Today, NATA (the National Air Transportation Association) as part of a coalition of aviation stakeholders from industry and labor sent a letter to Congressional leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, calling on both parties to take immediate action to avoid a government shutdown.
In the letter, the aviation stakeholders stressed the negative effects a government shutdown of any length would have on the National Airspace System (NAS).
“Shutdowns are extremely detrimental to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by suspending air traffic controller hiring and training, delaying the implementation of safety initiatives, postponing maintenance and repair work to critical air traffic equipment, suspending air carrier pilot check rides, delaying airworthy inspections for aircraft, deferring the analysis of voluntary safety reporting, and suspending work on modernization and infrastructure programs. During a shutdown, many FAA employees are furloughed, meaning that they cannot perform their duties that support aviation
safety, aircraft certification and the integration of new entrants. The ensuing backlogs cause further delays in these critical FAA services long after funding resumes.
“While air traffic controllers will continue to work without pay, many of the employees who support them are furloughed, and the programs that the FAA uses to review and address safety events are suspended. To remain the world leader in aviation, we must continue to strive to improve efficiency and further mitigate risk.”
Read the full text of the letter here.