Release #: 19.10
March 28, 2019

ALPA Urges Passage of Bill to Ensure Aviation Safety During Future Shutdowns

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), the world’s largest nongovernmental aviation safety organization, issued the following statement after the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee completed markup of the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019 (H.R. 1108). In the event of another government shutdown, H.R. 1108 would authorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to draw funding from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund during the shutdown period.

“The safety of our skies should never be used as a political bargaining chip. Rep. DeFazio’s bipartisan bill ensures that the hardworking safety professionals in our complex and interconnected aviation system will never again be asked to work without pay during a government shutdown.

“ALPA has long advocated for a dedicated and stable funding source for the FAA so that the safety and security of our aviation system is not put at risk during a government shutdown, and we stand ready to continue to work with all Members of Congress and the administration to keep commercial aviation the safest mode of transportation in the world.

“We urge the full House of Representatives to  move quickly to pass this bill, and we also urge the Senate to act expeditiously on its version, which ALPA also supports, as the two versions must be reconciled before the bill can be signed into law.

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