A unified coalition representing virtually every sector of our Nation\u2019s aviation and aerospace industry and workforce wrote a letter to President of the United States-elect Donald J. Trump urging his incoming Administration to work with industry to find a unified path forward to create efficiencies within the FAA that will ensure our nation\u2019s aviation system remains the safest in the world for all users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe aviation industry \u2013 from commercial aviation to general aviation, manufacturing, labor, airports, advanced air mobility and other emerging technologies \u2013 accounts for more than 5% of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) generating over 10 million high-quality jobs,\u201d the groups wrote. \u201cOur nation\u2019s ATC system is a vital infrastructure asset, essential to safe air travel and to our nation\u2019s economic growth and competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo maintain a best-in-class ATC system that is globally competitive, our objective is to work with your Administration to find common ground so that together we can address needed efficiencies within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including process reforms to procure and deploy air traffic control equipment, modernize and realign facilities to improve operational efficiencies, address key staffing shortages, and ensure stable and predictable funding, including multi-year budgeting, to strategically manage and deploy the FAA\u2019s ATC assets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The groups encouraged the Trump administration to work with industry, exclusive representatives of the FAA\u2019s workforce, and Congress, to support these needed improvements and efforts to ensure the FAA can more effectively utilize the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to upgrade and modernize FAA\u2019s facilities and air traffic control equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAddressing these areas will cut costs, reduce inefficiencies, and strengthen American competitiveness and will also ensure the FAA continues to uphold the highest standards of safety for all who use our nation\u2019s airspace,\u201d the groups wrote in the December 23 letter. \u201cOur organizations believe the areas we have outlined will ensure the FAA is more capable and prepared to deliver economic growth, foster American innovation, adapt to challenges, and continue to manage the safest, largest, and most complex air traffic control system in the world. We stand ready to work with you and your administration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n