Shutdown ends, for now

The shutdown has had many implications on the aviation sector from airman certification to delayed NextGen technologies, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast validations, and staffing issues because of furloughed federal workers. Pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, and security personnel across the industry have all felt the effects of the shutdown.

On Jan. 10, AOPA and 33 other aviation organizations sent a letter to leaders urging them to come to a resolution. The groups wrote, “Civil aviation alone supports more than 7 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and $1.5 trillion of economic impact, creating over 11.5 million jobs, but this shutdown is hampering our ability to function effectively.”

AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Jim Coon said, “While our aviation system has remained safe during this partial shutdown, it has caused inconveniences and difficulties, especially for federal workers who have missed paychecks. We are pleased that this shutdown has been addressed and remain hopeful that fruitful negotiations on border security will be forthcoming in the coming weeks.”