Strategic Policy

Airlines for America Ad in Washington Post Highlights Need for Urgent ATC Investment

May 21, 2025

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2025 – Airlines for America (A4A), the trade association representing the leading U.S. passenger and cargo airlines, today placed a full-page advertisement in the Washington Post with an open letter to Congress signed by the CEOs of all nine A4A carrier members, in addition to Nick Calio, President & CEO of Airlines for America.

The open letter details why Congress must invest in America’s air traffic control (ATC) system to ensure the continued safety and improved efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS). Currently the reconciliation bill being considered in the House of Representatives includes $12.5 billion for ATC upgrades, a solid down payment on the plan DOT Secretary Sean Duffy presented two weeks ago.

“As Americans prepare for Memorial Day Weekend getaways and look toward the busy summer travel season, and amid an increased reliance on daily cargo shipments, we are writing to ask Congress to take bold action and rebuild America’s aging air traffic control (ATC) system…Now, it’s time for Congress to do its part and provide much-needed resources and turn the plan into reality,” the CEOs said.