“At this time of record air travel and increased reliance on cargo shipments, stability and predictability for U.S. aviation are more important than ever. Missed paychecks for the federal employees charged with the safe and efficient facilitation of our national airspace unnecessarily increases stress for the thousands of air traffic controllers, TSA officers and CBP employees who work every day to keep aviation safe and secure. Aviation remains the safest mode of transportation in the world – but to maintain that record a system under stress must slow down, reducing efficiency and causing delays for travelers and shippers.

“We urge elected leaders to act with an appropriate sense of urgency to solve this problem and immediately reopen the federal government. The quickest and simplest way to ensure those critical employees are paid is by passing a clean CR.

“Congress recently made a significant downpayment on modernizing the FAA’s antiquated air traffic control system. The DOT has prioritized “supercharging” hiring to get air traffic control facilities fully staffed, and the TSA continues to screen historically high numbers of travelers at checkpoints. Congress should build on these positive developments and ensure that commercial aviation can continue to drive the economy and connect Americans with the world.”