March 4, 2025
Witnesses
- Heather Krause, Managing Director of Physical Infrastructure, Government Accountability Office
- Nicholas E. Calio, President and Chief Executive Officer, Airlines for America
- Pete Bunce, President and Chief Executive Officer, General Aviation Manufacturers Association
- Nick Daniels, President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association
- Dave Spero, President, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists
- Paul Rinaldi, President and Co-Founder, Rinaldi Consultants, LLC.
Key Points
- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) said our nation’s ATC system is “outdated” and “must be modernized.” He called on Congress and aviation stakeholders to work together without getting distracted by proposals that have divided the aviation industry in the past – a nod to the previous debate on ATC privatization, which temporarily derailed a previous FAA reauthorization bill.
- Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) said that recent DCA accident and runway incursions show that the “the U.S. aviation system is incredibly strained.” He called on the Administration to quickly implement the FAA reauthorization bill and fully staff the FAA . He and other Democrats criticized the Administration for its DOGE efforts and firing hundreds of FAA employees.
“I am open to new ideas to modernize the system -- the primary reason we’re all here today -- having consultants with no experience in the industry and clear conflicts of interest tell us what we already know is unhelpful,” Larsen said. “Show us your work, show us your results, and we’ll judge the quality of it.”
- A4A President and CEO Nick Calio also called on Congress, the Administration, and stakeholders to come together and “not squander this opportunity for historically meaningful change.” He urged lawmakers to pass an emergency spending bill that: 1) ensures that there are enough skilled controllers and technicians; 2) allows the procurement of modern technology; and 3) includes a long-term funding fix for capital projects.
- Lawmakers and witnesses alike warned that a potential government shutdown would have an adverse impact on the aviation system at a critical time. NATCA President Nick Daniels pointed out controllers are not paid during a shutdown – adding unnecessary stress to the workforce. The FAA training center in Oklahoma City would also be temporarily shuttered, which would exacerbate controller staffing challenges.
- Paul Rinaldi, the President of Rinaldi Consultants and former NATCA President, told lawmakers that the U.S. airspace system is no longer considered the gold standard, and he criticized the FAA for delays on awarding a new NOTAM contract and moving forward with remote towers. Rinaldi called for stable funding, and he highlighted how the Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative can help bolster controller staffing and provide a framework for the FAA Contract Tower Program.
Related Information
- Today’s hearing may be viewed here.