Aviation Groups Pan Trump Plan for ATC Privatization

Six aviation associations—NBAA, GAMA, AOPA, HAI, NATA, and EAA—recently released a statement strongly opposing the Trump Administration’s government reorganization proposal for including the privatization of the U.S. Federal Aviation Association air traffic control services.

“There is a large and diverse chorus of opposition to the idea of privatizing our air traffic control system, including congressional leaders from both political parties, more than 100 aviation organizations, some 100 business leaders, 100 U.S. mayors, consumer and agricultural groups, conservative think tanks, and the majority of Americans. Additionally, this concept has been fully considered in the U.S. Congress and rejected despite years of repeated attempts,” they said.

Related Article

Bolen Issues Warning Call on ATC Privatization

The NBAA head says this latest attempt to float the privatization scheme may be the most serious yet.

“Instead of focusing precious time and resources on what amounts to nothing more than a distraction to the aviation community, the Administration needs to support a long-term FAA bill, like those passed by the House of Representatives and now pending in the Senate,” the groups added. “These bills will take practical and significant steps to address many critical issues like aviation safety; modernization, which includes accelerated advancement of NextGen; and needed aircraft certification and regulatory reform. Additionally, the Department of Transportation needs to continue with its commitment to the NextGen Advisory Committee, which fosters collaboration in an open and transparent manner and helps advance air traffic control modernization priorities and investments.”

They concluded, “We are disappointed that the Administration continues to reintroduce a failed proposal. Instead, it should put its weight behind FAA legislation pending in Congress that will advance the aviation industry.”