OPINION:
Every day, U.S. airlines transport 2.6 million people and 61,000 tons of cargo across the globe.
It’s only possible because of an intricate system supported by more than 800,000 workers.
From airports and runways on the ground, to shipping centers receiving cargo, to our National Airspace System (NAS) that allows airlines to safely fly across the world – this critical infrastructure is relied upon by all.
But it’s in need of significant investments to support growth, stability and – most importantly – safety.
The newly enacted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization law will help achieve that goal by making crucial investments in our NAS that will upgrade its aging infrastructure, outdated equipment and underperforming technology.
Ultimately, the billions of dollars made available to the FAA in this bill will help ensure the United States remains the gold standard for aviation safety - something we never take for granted and work to improve every single day.
For years A4A has been sounding the alarm on the issue of air traffic control staffing. Currently, the FAA is short 3,000 air traffic controllers. ATC is a crucial part of air travel – ensuring planes safely take off and land at airports and cruise in the sky.
But the agency’s system of hiring and training is fundamentally broken. This law works to mitigate that issue by forcing the FAA to revise its current staffing model for ATC and hiring the maximum number of controllers.
Our nation’s air traffic control towers are understaffed and overworked. We owe it to them to ensure they have enough people on the job with the best training to ensure our nation’s airports and skies are safe and efficient.
This bill authorizes an increase in the agency’s Facilities and Equipment (F&E) budget, providing more cash to update aging technology and physical infrastructure in our NAS.
Air traffic controllers are working with outdated technology some newer trainees may have never encountered before working in a tower, including floppy disks. (If you don’t even know what a floppy disk is, don’t worry – let’s just say it goes in the same archive file as VHS machines and tape recorders.)
Authorizing the growth of the FAA’s F&E budget will finally set the agency up for the modern era of flight and take advantage of current technologies to improve operations across the NAS.
The reauthorization also addresses the FAA’s underperforming and over-budget Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) programs by auditing the initiative and prioritizing components that will lead to the most system-wide operational benefits.
These “behind-the-scenes” investments will affect all travelers. Air travel has never been more popular for Americans, and as U.S. airlines get ready for a record-breaking summer travel season, these investments will enhance the flying public’s travel experience.
The law will improve accessibility to air travelers with disabilities by increasing training for airline workers. It will also require a review of current airline policies to ensure the safe transport of powered wheelchairs and mobility aids.
Passengers are the core of air travel and they all deserve to have a positive travel experience. This law will help ensure airlines continue to achieve that goal.
Passenger airlines will have improved definitions of “controllable” and “uncontrollable” delays, allowing carriers to better address their specific challenges and create a more seamless flight experience for travelers.
Finally, the law provides greater protections for our workforce by increasing civil penalties for unruly passengers who threaten the safety of travelers and crew members.
We greatly appreciate the bipartisan group of lawmakers — and countless congressional staffers — who worked tirelessly for months to pass the legislation. We’re particularly grateful for the leadership of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves, R-Missouri, and Ranking Member Rick Larson, D-Wash., as well as Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Ranking Member Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for working collaboratively to push this legislation across the finish line.
• Rebecca Spicer is Senior Vice President of Communications at Airlines for America (A4A), which promotes safety, security and a healthy U.S. airline industry. A4A works collaboratively with airlines, labor, Congress, the Administration and other groups to improve aviation for the traveling and shipping public.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.