AOPA Responds to General Aviation Ban at Major Airports, Calls for Privatization
AOPA President and CEO Darren Pleasance emphasized that while AOPA understands the extraordinary strain on the system and the dedicated professionals working without pay, access must remain fair and consistent for all users.
“We are deeply sympathetic to the traveling public and the air traffic controllers who continue to work tirelessly under immense pressure without compensation,” said Pleasance. “But general aviation is an essential part of our nation’s transportation and economic fabric. This kind of blanket exclusion cannot become the norm.”
“It was certainly appropriate for the FAA to equitably reduce aircraft operations on all users of our nation’s public-use aviation system due to the government shutdown. However, the decision over the weekend to completely lock out all general and business aviation at a number of airports across the country is a disproportionate response. Any flight reductions should be based solely on ensuring safety and not for economic purposes,” said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy Jim Coon.
“Our National Airspace System has always thrived on fair and equitable access. Banning general aviation operations—even at a small number of airports—sets a horrible precedent. General aviation is just as critical to our nation’s infrastructure as commercial operations and should not be penalized in this way,” said AOPA Director of Airspace, Air Traffic, and Security Jim McClay.
Some have also used this situation to renew calls for privatizing the air traffic control system. Earlier this year, as the ongoing air traffic control modernization efforts were getting underway, the entire aviation industry—along with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy—united against privatization.
“The aviation industry has moved on from the divisive and repeatedly failed push for so-called ‘privatization.’ Now is the time to focus on updating our air traffic system and invest in our controller workforce,” said Coon. “Through the Modern Skies Coalition, the entire aviation industry stands behind modernizing our air traffic control system, which is focused on replacing outdated technology to ensure continued safety and system efficiencies.”
“Privatization—or handing over our aviation system to private interests—will not solve the challenges we face today,” added Coon. “Supporters of privatization often point to systems in Canada, the U.K., and elsewhere as examples, but they all face their own staffing shortages, delays, and funding challenges. The U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, Congress, and the aviation industry are committed to modernizing our system for the traveling public and this should be the focus going forward.”
