Aviation groups seek FAA stability, modernization

The coalition, representing both commercial aviation and general aviation interests, wrote a letter to congressional committee leaders on February 19, calling for Congress and the FAA to prioritize modernization over privatization of an ATC system that manages more than 50,000 flights carrying 2.9 million passengers daily. The coalition pledged to work with the federal government to "find common ground" to ensure the continued safety and efficiency of the national airspace system.

"To achieve this, we must support air traffic controller workforce hiring and training, modernize and deploy state-of-the-art air traffic control facilities and equipment, implement procurement and program efficiencies and facility realignment, and address budget reforms for the Airport & Airway Trust Fund (AATF)," the coalition wrote. "We 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."

The coalition called for "robust emergency funding for critical air traffic control technology and infrastructure and controller staffing and training," as well as using "new and innovative procurement methods to facilitate the deployment of state-of-the-art technology," modernization of ATC facilities, and more effective utilization of AATF balances including multiyear budgeting.