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NACA Applauds Newark Slot Reallocation Proposal

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In response to the Federal Register Notice “Reassignment of Schedules at Newark-Liberty International Airport,” NACA President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement:

NACA commends the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Justice for furthering President Biden’s recent Executive Order “Promoting Competition in the American Economy,” by proposing to reassign 16 peak-time slots at Newark Liberty International Airport to a low-cost or ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC). The current allocations at the three major New York regional airports are largely held by high-cost network carriers, resulting in some of the highest air fares in the nation for passengers in the New York metropolitan area. This proposal is a significant win for consumers, enhancing competition and lowering fares.

We look forward to working with the Administration to bring these benefits to other concentrated markets, resulting in lower airfares and additional air services to millions of Americans.

NACA Announces GlobalX as its 19th Airline Member

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The National Air Carrier Association is pleased to announce that Global Crossing Airlines, Inc. (“GlobalX”), has joined as NACA’s 19th airline member, effective September 2021.

“NACA is delighted to welcome GlobalX as a full member,” said NACA President and CEO George Novak. “We offer our congratulations on the issuance of their full authorization from the Department of Transportation and look forward to their active participation on our councils. NACA’s continued growth demonstrates the strength of our advocacy on behalf of our members.”

“NACA provides a strong voice in Washington for their members and an outstanding forum for discussions with key FAA staff,” said GlobalX Chairman and CEO Ed Wegel. “We look forward to working with them on issues facing our industry.”

Founded in 1962, NACA is a trade association comprised of air carriers certificated under Title 14, Part 121 of the Code of Federal Regulations. NACA members are a diverse group of air carriers, providing scheduled and non-scheduled passenger and cargo services, filling a unique niche in the air carrier industry by offering services in response to ever-changing demands from the U.S. military, the traveling public, and businesses. For more information, please visit https://naca.aero/.

GlobalX is a US 121 domestic flag and supplemental airline flying the Airbus A320 family aircraft. GlobalX flies as an ACMI and wet lease charter airline serving the United States, Caribbean, and Latin American markets. For more information, please visit www.globalxair.com. 

NACA Members Called to Support Afghanistan Evacuation

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NACA President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement Sunday, August 22, 2021, in response to DOD calling on NACA carriers through the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program to support the evacuation of personnel and civilians from Afghanistan:

NACA has worked closely with the Department of Defense for nearly sixty years to ensure our national readiness and supplemental airlift capabilities. NACA carriers have always been essential components of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet. As NACA carriers are being called to support this first-stage mobilization to evacuate personnel and civilians from Afghanistan, we stand ready to assist these time-critical missions for the Department of Defense, Air Mobility Command and USTRANSCOM.

NACA Supports Bipartisan Infrastructure Package

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National Air Carrier Association President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement Wednesday, July 28, in support of the bipartisan infrastructure package being negotiated in the Senate:

NACA commends the Biden Administration and Congress for their leadership in developing today’s bipartisan infrastructure legislation. This historic bill includes $20 billion to upgrade our nation’s airports – including necessary terminal, runway and access enhancements – to meet increasing air travel demand, bolster the economic recovery, and improve the passenger experience without increasing taxes and fees. It also includes $5 billion to upgrade existing FAA air traffic control facilities, which will improve the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System. We urge Congress to continue working on a bipartisan basis to swiftly enact this critical legislation.

NACA Statement on Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy

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In response to President Biden’s “Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy,” issued July 9, 2021, NACA President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement:

NACA applauds the Administration for issuing today’s Executive Order promoting the interests of American workers, businesses and consumers. NACA air carriers strongly support the rights of passengers to choose their airlines, passenger services and airports at fair prices in a fully open and competitive atmosphere.

We particularly welcome the review of policies that have prevented millions of working families in the largest and most concentrated markets from accessing rock-bottom fares and expanded service options to smaller and rural airports and popular leisure destinations. NACA’s ultra-low-cost carrier members – Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines – welcome the opportunity to compete for Americans’ business in an open and transparent market.

NACA Statement on Executive Order Impacting Commercial Aviation

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On July 7, 2021, NACA President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement in response to press inquiries regarding a potential Executive Order impacting the commercial aviation industry:

NACA understands that the administration will be issuing an Executive Order within the next few weeks that will expand consumer protection in a number of industries, including aviation. In part, it will implement a number of outstanding consumer mandates from the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, including a requirement that passenger carriers refund to passengers any ancillary fees paid for services that were not provided. Under this mandate, when baggage is not provided within 12 hours for domestic flights — or 24 hours for international flights — fees charged for carrying the bags must be refunded.

NACA’s members have always believed that consumers should be fully educated about their options and have the ability to select the services they purchase when traveling. We also understand and are pleased that the Executive Order will direct the Department of Transportation to review its airline competition policies, including currently restricted access to slots in congested markets that have hampered passenger choice among airlines.

NACA urges FAA to make unruly passenger policy permanent

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The National Air Carrier Association, which represents the nation’s four ultra-low cost carriers, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines, strongly believes that the FAA’s “Zero Tolerance” policy for unruly passengers who refuse to follow aircrew directions or become violent should be made permanent. Passenger behavior is a critical safety issue, and actions that threaten the safety of passengers and crew cannot be tolerated.

“We’re asking the FAA to take the next logical step on passenger safety,” said NACA President and CEO George Novak. “The laws regarding unruly passengers are already on the books and keeping our flight crewmembers and fellow passengers safe is a policy that should not have an expiration date. The zero-tolerance policy against actions that threaten the safety of passengers and crew really should be permanent.”

“As air traffic volume increases with the removal of pandemic travel restrictions, some delays and a few flight cancellations may be inevitable,” Novak continued. “It’s important that the traveling public be aware, be prepared, and be highly respectful of the flight crews and airport staff that are responsible for their safety. Making the zero-tolerance policy permanent will send a strong signal that those who willfully break the law will be punished. We believe this will greatly reduce the number of incidents over time.”

NACA Joins Coalition Urging Criminal Prosecution for Unruly Passengers

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On June 21, 2021, NACA joined a coalition of U.S. aviation stakeholders, including passenger airlines, pilots and flight attendants, to urge United States Attorney General Merrick Garland to swiftly prosecute cases of unruly passenger behavior.

“The safety of our passengers and flight crewmembers is our top priority,” said NACA President and CEO George Novak. “We commend the FAA for implementing a ‘zero-tolerance policy’ in an effort to curb unruly passenger incidents on commercial flights, including the imposition of robust civil penalties.  To make this policy a more effective deterrent, NACA urges the Department of Justice to criminally prosecute, where appropriate, passengers who interfere with the duties of our dedicated crewmembers.”

The coalition sent a letter with these requests to Attorney General Garland, which can be read here.

NACA congratulates FAA Associate Administrator for Safety Ali Bahrami on his retirement

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In light of the announcement that FAA Associate Administrator for Safety Ali Bahrami will be retiring June 30, 2021, NACA President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement:

“NACA congratulates FAA Associate Administrator for Safety Ali Bahrami on his retirement from the agency. Ali’s leadership, dedication, and collaborative work throughout his distinguished public and private sector career have helped to advance the safety of global civil aviation by validating new commercial aircraft systems and promoting international cooperation on aviation safety issues. More than half a billion passengers fly safely in the United States every year through the efforts of Ali and his team. As a result of the bold and dynamic initiatives he championed as the nation’s top aviation safety official, the United States will continue to set the gold standard for aviation safety across the globe. We are grateful for his public service and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

NACA promotes summer travel with DHS/TSA

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NACA President and CEO George Novak participated in a press conference to promote summer travel organized by the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration on May 25.

“To the traveling public … welcome back … it has felt like a long time coming,” Novak said. “As we have during the pandemic, we’re continuing our work to ensure the safest and most secure travel experience possible in close consultation with our partners at the CDC, TSA, DHS, and FAA.”

Novak also highlighted the significant uptick in disruptive passengers onboard aircraft and issued a stern warning regarding the FAA’s policy:

The FAA and the industry have instituted a “zero-tolerance” policy in prosecuting any individual that does not follow flight crew instructions or becomes physically abusive. We support the FAA 100% in this effort. Our flight crews are there for the safety and security of everyone on the aircraft. They are protecting you, your families and your fellow passengers. We must all show them the proper respect and understanding as we resume traveling.

Read the full text of Novak’s remarks as prepared for delivery here.

Read TSA’s Press Release here.

Speakers at the event included:

  • Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Darby LaJoye, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the TSA Administrator
  • Nick Calio, Airlines for America
  • Kevin Burke, Airports Council International – North America
  • Joel Bacon, American Association of Airport Executives
  • George Novak, National Air Carrier Association
  • Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association

Left to right: Darby LaJoye, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the TSA Administrator; Nick Calio, Airlines for America; Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security; Kevin Burke, Airports Council International – North America; George Novak, National Air Carrier Association; Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association; and Joel Bacon, American Association of Airport Executives

Blue Lightning Initiative

The Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI), led by the Department of Transportation, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is an element of the DHS Blue Campaign. The BLI trains aviation industry personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims, and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement.  To date, more than 100,000 personnel in the aviation industry have been trained through the BLI, and actionable tips continue to be reported to law enforcement.

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