National Air Cargo Group Joins NACA

The National Air Carrier Association is pleased to announce that National Air Cargo Group (“National”), has joined as NACA’s 21st airline member.

“NACA is delighted to welcome National as a full member,” said NACA President and CEO George Novak. “With National onboard, we now provide an even stronger voice in Washington, D.C., for the nation’s charter service – both passenger and cargo – airlines, particularly among companies that serve U.S. national security interests as part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet. NACA represents more air carriers than any other U.S. trade association – our continued growth demonstrates the strength of our advocacy on behalf of our members.”

“The National Air Carrier Association provides incredible value to their airline members through direct discussions of policies and regulations with Members of Congress, and DOD, DOT, FAA, and TSA staff,” said National Air Cargo group Chairman Christopher J. Alf.  “We look forward to working with NACA to address many issues facing the chartered passenger and cargo segment of the transportation industry.”

One of the major reasons NACA was founded was to provide a conduit for communications between DOD and the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). NACA’s CRAF carriers provide cargo and passenger services for military and humanitarian missions including combat deployments, emergency medical relief supplies and airlifting evacuees. CRAF carriers significantly enhance U.S. military readiness and soft power projection in service to our national security.

About NACA
Founded in 1962, NACA is the leading voice for airlines that provide affordable transportation of passengers and cargo, with its 21 U.S. airlines serving six continents. NACA members fill a unique niche in the air carrier industry, providing scheduled and non-scheduled passenger and cargo services to meet the ever-changing demands of the traveling public, businesses, and the U.S. military. For more information, please visit https://NACA.aero.

About National Air Cargo Group
National Air Cargo Group is focused on offering niche solutions for its corporate, government, defense and humanitarian aid customers. The two main business divisions of the group, National Air Cargo and National Airlines, complement each other in projects where the group offers the capability of an integrator. Notably, National’s aircraft airlifted PPE kits, protective masks, oxygen cylinder and other medical supplies to U.S, Europe, Africa and Asia during the COVID-19 outbreak. Recently, the passenger fleet was instrumental in airlifting evacuees to Washington, after the Afghanistan drawdown. For more information, please visit https://www.gonational.com/.

NACA Commends POTUS remarks on Sustainable Aviation Fuel

In response to President Biden’s remarks in Iowa, April 12, 2022, on steps the administration is taking to lower energy costs, National Air Carrier Association President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement:

NACA commends President Biden for recognizing the critical role that sustainable aviation fuel will play in further reducing the airline industry’s carbon footprint.  We look forward to continue working with the Administration and Congress to help promote the development and deployment of sustainable aviation fuel and provide additional economic incentives to ensure its commercial viability.

NACA supports Administration’s TSA Proposals on Pay, Security Fees

The National Air Carrier Association issued the following statement March 29, in support of Biden Administration proposals to raise pay and benefits for frontline Transportation Security Administration workers and to eliminate the practice of setting aside a portion of the revenues collected through the “September 11 fee” for deficit reduction:

The National Air Carrier Association and its member carriers strongly support the Biden Administration’s budget proposal to increase pay for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) frontline workers.

“TSA’s frontline workers are critical to ensuring the safety of our air transportation system,” said NACA President and CEO George Novak. “They absolutely should be paid at a level commensurate with other federal employees.”

The administration proposes $871 million for additional personnel compensation and benefits, ensuring TSA’s pay reflects the importance of its employees’ work. Retaining these professionals will be key to handling greatly expanding air traffic as we emerge from the pandemic.

Furthermore, NACA strongly supports the Administration’s proposal to eliminate the practice of diverting TSA security fee revenues collected as part of an airplane ticket for deficit reduction. The fee – widely known as the “September 11 fee” – was implemented to help pay for new federal security screening at airports. However, a portion of that amount has long been used for deficit reduction.

“The purpose of the TSA Security fee is to help maintain the security of our air transportation system in a world of constantly evolving threats,” Novak said. “Congress should support this vital mission by allowing TSA to retain the full amount of the fee and finding alternative means of reducing the deficit.”

NACA and its members strongly support these proposals, as they promote growth in air travel and the U.S. economy. NACA’s members are helping to drive recovery from the pandemic, particularly in the Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) sector where growth is projected to be especially robust.

Breeze Airways Joins NACA

The National Air Carrier Association is pleased to announce that Breeze Airways, Inc. (“Breeze”), has joined as NACA’s 20th airline member.

“NACA is delighted to welcome Breeze as a full member,” said NACA President and CEO George Novak. “David Neeleman and his team present the flying public with affordable, eco-friendly flight options, with 77 routes between 28 cities in 18 states. With Breeze onboard, we now provide a more unified voice in Washington, D.C., for the nation’s low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers, the fastest growing segment of the U.S. airline industry. Our continued growth demonstrates the strength of our advocacy on behalf of our members.”

“The National Air Carrier Association provides their airline members with a valuable opportunity for discussions of consumer, economic, safety and security regulations with Members of Congress, and DOT, FAA, and TSA staff,” said Breeze CEO David Neeleman. “We look forward to working with NACA on addressing key issues facing the air transportation industry.”

NACA’s low-cost and ultra-low-cost airline members include Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Breeze, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines. This segment is leading the airline industry recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, as leisure travel quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels.

About NACA
Founded in 1962, NACA is the leading voice for airlines that provide affordable transportation of passengers and cargo, with its 20 U.S. airlines serving six continents. NACA members fill a unique niche in the air carrier industry, providing scheduled and non-scheduled passenger and cargo services to meet the ever-changing demands of the traveling public, businesses, and the U.S. military. For more information, please visit https://NACA.aero.

About Breeze Airways
Breeze is a U.S. Part 121 domestic flag airline flying a mix of Embraer 190, 195 and Airbus A220 aircraft. The airline provides scheduled nonstop passenger service between 28 cities across 18 states.  Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze is a low fare carrier offering “new, nice and nonstop flights” between secondary airports, bypassing hubs for shorter travel times.  Breeze’s mission is to make the world of travel simple, affordable and convenient, using technology, ingenuity and kindness to improve the travel experience.   For more information, please visit www.flybreeze.com.

NACA congratulates Federal Air Marshall Service on 60th anniversary

In response to the announcement celebrating the 60th anniversary of the inception of the Federal Air Marshall Service by the Transportation Security Agency on March 2, 2022, NACA issued the following statement:

The National Air Carrier Association fully supports the mission of the Federal Air Marshal Service and joins TSA in recognizing its 60th anniversary. The Federal Air Marshal Service has been and will continue to be an important part of the layered approach to aviation security. NACA thanks the air marshals for their dedication and service protecting the flying public every day of the year.

NACA thanks FAA Administrator Dickson for his service

In response to the announcement that FAA Administrator Steve Dickson will be stepping down from his position March 31, 2022, National Air Carrier Association President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement:

“We are extremely grateful for the steadfast leadership of FAA Administrator Steve Dickson during this challenging period in aviation history.  His deep experience and his willingness to work collaboratively with all segments of the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide deployment of 5G wireless service was instrumental in ensuring that the U.S. National Airspace System remained the gold standard for aviation safety and operational efficiency.  We thank Steve for his distinguished public service and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

NACA urges removal of pre-departure COVID testing requirement for vaccinated passengers entering U.S.

On February 2, 2022, NACA joined with a broad coalition of aviation, aerospace and travel industry stakeholders to urge the Biden Administration to remove the requirement for pre-departure Covid testing for vaccinated passengers traveling to the United States. NACA President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement accompanying the letter:

Given the pervasiveness of COVID cases across the country, increased immunity, higher vaccination rates and availability of new treatments, we believe the time is right for the Biden Administration to remove the requirement for pre-departure testing for vaccinated passengers traveling to the United States.
We strongly support the Administration’s efforts to increase the nation’s vaccination rate and believe removal of this requirement will further incentivize vaccinations and spur the recovery of the vitally important aviation, travel and tourism sectors.
The full letter is available here.

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.

Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI) to Host Panel Discussion on Combatting Human Trafficking

The Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI) is #TacklingTrafficking this January by hosting a live webinar for the aviation industry on January 13, 2022, at 2:00 PM EST. Please join the discussion on how aviation is working to combat human trafficking.

The panel features speakers from Homeland Securities Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and a survivor of trafficking whose experience intersected with the aviation industry. This robust dialogue will address the following:

  • Impact and importance of the aviation industry in the fight against human trafficking
  • An overview of efforts to combat human trafficking in an aviation environment
  • Actions taken after an aviation tip is submitted
  • New training and resources available to the industry

To join the discussion on January 13, REGISTER HERE.