March 16, 2017

ALPA Statement on the President’s Proposed Budget

ALPA is analyzing President Trump’s FY2018 budget proposal through the lens of our union’s commitment to advancing safety in our skies, representing our members, and ensuring the future of the piloting profession. We are encouraged that the president’s budget includes direction to the Departments of Commerce and Labor to increase their focus on trade enforcement, which is particularly important as foreign interests seek to undermine our trade deals.

We are still reviewing the details, but if enacted, the budget outline presented this week appears to include significant cuts to the Department of Transportation and key aviation security programs within the Department of Homeland Security. The potential elimination of the Essential Air Service program and a proposed increase in the Transportation Security Administration fee paid by air travelers are of concern. We await further details on the proposal to “privatize” the nation’s Air Traffic Control system, but maintain ALPA’s long-held position that any plan must not undermine the safety of our skies. 

We will continue to work with Congress and press the Trump administration to stand up for the U.S. airline industry and its workers by enforcing U.S. trade policy and advancing a federal budget that fosters safe and secure air transportation.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 55,000 pilots at 32 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org