Press Releases

Witnesses representing a cross-section of the aerospace industry last week expressed their support for modernizing the U.S. air traffic control (ATC) system and the $12.5 billion investment included as a down payment toward that goal in the House’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1).

The support for this significant down payment toward the modern ATC system that our nation needs included H.R. 1, as well as the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s and the Trump Administration’s efforts to further strengthen the safety of the U.S. aviation network, came during an Aviation Subcommittee hearing led by Subcommittee Chairman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX).

Below are highlights from the witness testimony in support of robust investments in ATC modernization and fully supporting the men and women who ensure the safety of the aviation system.  All witnesses from the hearing are part of the Modern Skies Coalition, a broad coalition of aviation stakeholders that have written in support of the ATC modernization provisions in H.R. 1:

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President and Chief Executive Officer Darren Pleasance:

This hearing is timely given the efforts being put forward to implement provisions included in last year’s FAA Reauthorization, as well as the recent announcement by President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy calling for a completely new and modern air traffic control system. 

AOPA is a member of the Modern Skies Coalition, which represents all sectors of the aviation industry including airlines, general aviation, airports, labor, and manufacturers. The coalition strongly supports this modernization effort, and we look forward to collaborating with the Committee, Congress, and the Administration to make this proposal a reality. 

Having the entire aviation industry behind this effort is both important and unique. The time to upgrade this system is now and we applaud the downpayment this Committee and the House of Representatives put forward in the recent House passed Budget Reconciliation bill, commonly referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Bolen:

On May 8th, Secretary Duffy unveiled the Administration’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) Modernization Plan. It is a plan that is unique from any before it – in its scope, specificity, accountability, and the fact that it establishes a clear deadline.… The investment in people, facilities, and equipment that the Administration is proposing is a national imperative. The system is under stress. We are at a unique moment in time – one that calls us to honor the legacy of those we’ve lost and to meet the challenges with American innovation, ingenuity and decisive action. 

The entirety of the aviation industry, including airlines, general aviation, airports, and labor has come together, through the Modern Skies Coalition, in support of the ATC modernization plan.…

We thank you for committing $12.5 billion as a downpayment towards infrastructure improvements and air traffic controller hiring. It will enable the modernization of critical infrastructure such as air traffic control towers, terminal approach facilities and centers, radar and ground stations, telecommunications hardware, and automation software. It will help retain and recruit controllers, and accelerate training for new recruits – strengthening a workforce that is stretched thin.

Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Robbins:

AUVSI is a proud member of the Modern Skies Coalition, a group of more than fifty (50) wide-ranging aviation and aerospace industry organizations, which is highlighting the urgent need across the U.S. to hire and retain more air traffic controllers, upgrade FAA technology and infrastructure, and further modernize the NAS in a way that ensures an equitable and safe airspace for all. We applaud this Committee, along with Secretary Duffy and Administrator Rocheleau, for moving boldly to upgrade the nation’s dated air traffic control (ATC) system. AUVSI urges Congress to act swiftly in response to modernization plans by leveraging the budget reconciliation process, appropriations process, and standalone legislation as needed to keep this modernization effort on track.

Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) President Captain Jody Reven:

SWAPA fully supports the Administration’s budget which funds the FAA’s Technology and Facilities account at $4 billion. The system urgently needs sustained, robust budget requests and an immediate infusion of funding. SWAPA also applauds Chairman Graves’ critical first step in moving forward on $12.5 billion of funding.

We applaud the administration and this body for making our nation’s air traffic control system a priority, and we look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to make this a reality. The pilots of Southwest Airlines are committed to continuing our work with the Committee, FAA, and industry partners to preserve and improve the safety of our national airspace.

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO International President Sara Nelson:

Our air traffic controllers are the best in the world and they are making sure aviation stays safe. We support every effort to secure the funding necessary to staff up and provide the resources that are a decade overdue for our air traffic controllers to be able to do their jobs….

We applaud this committee on your efforts to get it [FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024] passed and implemented, and we commend Secretary Duffy on his plans to supercharge staffing and modernization.”

More information from the Aviation Subcommittee hearing is available here.

In addition to last week’s Aviation Subcommittee hearing on the implementation of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee held a hearing with President Trump’s nominee to lead the United States Coast Guard, Acting Commandant Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, that highlighted the importance of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s historic investments of over $21 billion in the Coast Guard.  A recap of that hearing is available here.