The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has joined more than 200 organizations representing general aviation pilots, consumer groups, manufacturers, businesses, airports, management associations and unions to urge US congressional leaders to reject efforts to include the “privatization” of the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system in an infrastructure bill and any upcoming bills.
A letter constructed by the coalition, which voiced concerns about the impact of handing over control of the ATC system to an airline-dominated board free of charge, was sent to Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, house speaker Paul Ryan, and house minority leader Nancy Pelosi.
The group also noted how the interests of airlines have stopped the House from moving a long-term bill to reauthorize funding and programs for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Ed Bolen, NBAA president and CEO, said, “This growing and well-informed chorus of individuals and organizations remains united against any plan to give control of the nation’s aviation system to a private board beyond the reach of Congress.
“The United States has the safest, largest, most diverse and most efficient air traffic control system in the world. We will continue to support effective, bipartisan solutions to the challenges of modernization, so America can continue to be the world’s aviation leader five, 10 and 25 years from now.”
