Aviation teams inform Congress authorities shutdown would hurt air journey security and operations

U.S. airways and aviation teams are warning Congress {that a} authorities shutdown at midnight would disrupt air journey, jeopardize security and stall efforts to modernize the nation’s air visitors management system.

The warning got here in a letter from the Modern Skies Coalition — which incorporates Airlines for America, the commerce group for United, Delta, American, Southwest and different carriers — together with airports, pilots, controllers and producers. The coalition mentioned a shutdown would pressure the FAA to droop hiring and coaching, delay security initiatives and create expensive backlogs throughout the aviation system.

“Government shutdowns harm the U.S. economy and degrade the redundancies and margins of safety that our National Airspace System (NAS) is built upon,” the group wrote. “In fact, short-term shutdowns of just a few days, or even threatened shutdowns that are averted in the eleventh hour negatively affect the NAS and the traveling public.”

The letter additionally underscored the broader financial danger, noting that the U.S. aviation business contributes greater than 5% of GDP — $1.37 trillion in 2023 — and helps over 10 million jobs. The group mentioned {that a} 35-day shutdown in 2018–19 alone price the economic system $3 billion in misplaced exercise that was by no means recovered, in response to the Congressional Budget Office.

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U.S. airways and aviation teams are warning Congress {that a} authorities shutdown at midnight would disrupt air journey, jeopardize security and stall efforts to modernize the nation’s air visitors management system. (John Greim/Loop Images/Universal Images Group by way of Getty Images / Getty Images)

The coalition warned {that a} shutdown would freeze FAA hiring and coaching. During earlier shutdowns, the company was compelled to shut its coaching academy in Oklahoma City, a transfer that worsened staffing shortages as soon as operations resumed.

The FAA is about 3,800 air visitors controllers wanting its focused staffing ranges, and the Modern Skies Coalition mentioned it has supported Transport Secretary Sean Duffy’s transfer to extend numbers. 

U.S. airways and aviation teams are warning Congress {that a} authorities shutdown at midnight would disrupt air journey and jeopardize security. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images / Getty Images)

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“We strongly supported Congress’s $12.5 billion downpayment toward air traffic control modernization, and we continue to advocate in support of Secretary Duffy’s acknowledgment that additional funding of at least $19 billion will be needed to completely build a new air traffic control system,” the letter mentioned. “A government shutdown at this stage would jeopardize the important progress that we all have made on these efforts thus far.”

House Republicans superior a short-term funding plan, however the Senate rejected it, citing the dearth of well being care subsidy extensions and spending cuts opposed by Democrats. Negotiations between the events stay stalled.

On Monday, Republican and Democratic leaders left a gathering with President Donald Trump with out an settlement to maintain the federal government funded, elevating the probability of a partial shutdown set to start at midnight tonight.

The FAA is about 3,800 controllers wanting its focused staffing ranges and the Modern Skies Coalition mentioned it has supported Transport Secretary Sean Duffy’s transfer to extend numbers.  (Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg  / Getty Images)

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The hour-long White House session produced no breakthrough, with each side refusing to shift from their positions.

Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind and Alex Miller and Reuters contributed to this report.