NEWS

NACA’s Doell Speaks at TSA Event

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NACA Vice President for Government Affairs and Security Policy Paul Doell joined TSA Administrator David Pekoske at a press conference in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday, May 22, to discuss several issues facing the airline industry during the upcoming summer travel season.

“Passengers should know that airlines will be encountering operational headwinds and labor challenges as we move into the summer season,” Doell said. “The FAA continues to experience staffing issues as it relates to air traffic control which will impact airline schedules along with normal delays from weather.”

In addition to FAA controller staffing shortages, Doell emphasized that airlines themselves are working through staff shortages — especially pilots — as they work to operate as smoothly as possible for the traveling public.

Doell also urged all passengers to exercise patience with TSA, airport and airline staff, as well as with their fellow passengers.

“We continue to see an unacceptable number of incidents of unruly passengers,” Doell said. “This is true both at the airport and on board our airplanes. Verbal or physical abuse is unacceptable and against the law, and we will work with federal and local law enforcement partners to make sure unruly passenger cases are prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”

Doell thanked Administrator Pekoske for his leadership both during the pandemic and as airlines emerged from it into record demand for air travel, and closed by underlining that NACA’s members look forward to welcoming people onboard and getting them to their destinations as quickly and safely as possible this summer.

Also speaking at the event were Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and industry representatives including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Deputy General Manager for Operations Jan Lennon;  Airlines for America President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio; Airports Council International – North America President and CEO Kevin M. Burke; American Association of Airport Executives Senior Vice President for Security and Facilitation Stephanie K. Gupta; and Regional Airline Association Vice President of Government and External Affairs Drew Jacoby Lemos.

NACA Mourns Passing of Chairman Bud Shuster

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In response to reports of the passing of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bud Shuster (R-Penn.), National Air Carrier Association President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement:


On behalf of all of NACA’s members, we are saddened to learn of the passing of former House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bud Shuster. During his 28-year tenure representing Pennsylvania’s 9th congressional district, Chairman Shuster passed several major aviation and other transportation infrastructure bills with overwhelming bipartisan support – a rarity in today’s highly partisan environment in Washington.
 
To this day, millions of Americans are benefiting from the aviation systems, highways, ports, and rail and water projects that resulted from his unprecedented ability to bring Republicans and Democrats together in support of the nation’s infrastructure. We express our condolences and prayers to Chairman Shuster’s entire family, including his son, former Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster.

NACA Commends Reintroduction of “Let Experienced Pilots Fly” Act

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In response to the reintroduction of the “Let Experienced Pilots Fly” Act, National Air Carrier Association President and CEO George Novak issued the following statement:
NACA commends Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) for reintroducing the “Let Experienced Pilots Fly” Act to help address the shortage of commercial airline pilots that has led to reduced air service to smaller and rural communities across the country. With more than 3,000 pilots taking early retirement packages during the COVID-19 pandemic, and an additional 12,000 pilots expected to retire over the next five years, this timely legislation will provide some near-term relief.
 
However, given robust demand for domestic and international air travel, and an expected shortfall of 28,000 pilots by the end of the decade, Congress should take significant steps to boost the pipeline of commercial pilots. Specifically, we urge Congress to enact the “Let Experienced Pilots Fly” Act as part of the upcoming FAA reauthorization legislation, along with modernizing flight training requirements to provide additional credit for time spent on the most advanced, state-of-the-art flight simulators, and making FAA-certified flight education and training expenses eligible for federal student loans.

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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