US Aviation Industry Urges Congress to Modernize Air Traffic Control After Accidents
A coalition representing major players in the U.S. aviation and aerospace sectors has issued a joint letter to Congress, pressing for immediate action to modernize the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system. This urgent call follows a series of recent aviation incidents, including a fatal collision earlier this year.
Footage from Mark Fitzpatrick shows the plane lying upside down and emergency services responding. (Mark Fitzpatrick via Storyful)
“As representatives from our nation’s aviation sector, we are united in our grief over recent aviation accidents and our commitment to making sure that accidents like these never happen again,” the coalition stated in the letter, emphasizing a shared responsibility for aviation safety.
The groups highlighted a united front, stating, “To maintain a best-in-class ATC system that is globally competitive, it is our unified objective to work with the U.S. Congress and the Administration to find common ground to ensure the operational safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).”
The core of their request involves several linked goals: bolstering the air traffic controller workforce through enhanced hiring and training processes, boosting efficiencies in procurement and program execution, including facility realignment and the use of up to date technology, and executing reforms in the budget designated for the Airport & Airway Trust Fund (AATF).
Key Priorities for Air Traffic Control Modernization
The coalition outlined specific actions for Congress to consider, underlining the urgency of the situation:
- Emergency Funding: Provide immediate funding for crucial ATC technology upgrades and essential infrastructure improvements.
- Controller Staffing and Training: Support initiatives to increase the number of air traffic controllers and enhance their training programs.
- FAA Efficiency: Instruct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to streamline operations by phasing out outdated NAS components and adopting modern procurement strategies for cutting-edge technology.
- Financial Mechanisms: Allow for more flexible use of AATF balances, including multiyear budgeting, to maximize safety improvements both in the air and on the ground.
The letter also adressed privatization: “are aligned on not pursuing privatization of U.S. air traffic control services and believe it would be a distraction from these needed investments and reforms.”
A coalition of groups representing the U.S. aviation industry wrote to Congress calling for action on modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system. (John Greim/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Recent Aviation Incidents Highlight Urgency
The industry’s appeal comes shortly after the first fatal commercial aviation accident in over 15 years. On January 29, a regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided near Washington, D.C., resulting in 67 fatalities.
Moreover, a separate incident at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday involved a regional jet crash and flipping over during landing. While there were no fatalities, 21 passengers required hospitalization.
These incidents, combined the groups believe make clear the immediate necessity of mordernizing the current ATC system in the US.
The coalition’s letter called for Congress to support air traffic controller hiring and training. (Derek Davis/Staff photographer / Getty Images)
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