Featured Posts – Page 4 – National Air Carrier Association

NACA Responds to FAA’s List of Airports with 5G Buffer Zones

National Air Carrier Association President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement in response to the Federal Aviation Administration’s list of airports that will have buffer zones when wireless companies turn on new 5G C-band service on January 19:

“NACA’s airlines look forward to continue working collaboratively with the FAA, manufacturers and telecom companies to ensure that the first phase of 5G C-band deployment does not result in significant operational disruptions and that all segments of the industry have input into the process as we move forward.”

Aviation Coalition Urges White House to Delay 5G Rollout

Key aviation stakeholders representing airlines, manufacturers, airports and associations today issued the following statement calling on the White House to avoid further disruptions to the aviation environment by delaying the rollout of C-Band 5G signals:

“Time has run out and it’s imperative that the White House intervene today to delay the imminent rollout of C-band 5G signals. Starting Wednesday, the disruptions to our country’s aviation system are going to be incredibly challenging, especially at a time when the industry is currently experiencing COVID-related operational issues.

“We are just hours away from this C-band 5G rollout, yet the aviation industry is still anxiously awaiting details on how aviation will be impacted and on how crew members will need to operate to maintain safety and minimize disruptions.

“The United States has the safest aviation system on the planet and it is imperative that we do all it takes to keep it that way. As stakeholders, we have been working for years on identifying a path forward that would benefit all parties – but the FCC, AT&T and Verizon have been unwilling to participate. We respectfully call on President Biden to intervene and delay the full implementation of C-band 5G until proper risk assessments have taken place and crewmembers are fully briefed as to the extent of the disruptions.”

NACA participates on TSA Panel discussing holiday travel

National Air Carrier Association President and CEO George Novak spoke on a panel discussing holiday travel and the Transportation Security Administration on Monday, December 13, 2021. The panel featured remarks from TSA Administrator David Pekokse, Airlines 4 America President and CEO Nick Calio, Airports Council International-North America President and CEO Kevin Burke, George Novak, and American Association of Airport Executives Sr. Vice President for Security & Facilitation Stephanie Gupta.

(Left to Right) American Association of Airport Executives Sr. Vice President for Security & Facilitation Stephanie Gupta, NACA President and CEO George Novak, TSA Administrator David Pekokse, Airports Council International-North America President and CEO Kevin Burke, and Airlines 4 America President and CEO Nick Calio.

In his remarks, Novak praised the tremendous working relationship the airline industry has with TSA, the FAA and other government agencies, and thanked the hard-working staff at every level of TSA whose tireless efforts ensure we have the safest air transportation system in the world.

NACA Applauds Newark Slot Reallocation Proposal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.”