our priorities

A4A advocates on behalf of its members to shape policies that ensure safe and secure skies. Safety is and will always be the number one priority of America’s airlines, and as an industry, we are constantly challenging ourselves to meet and exceed the highest standards of safety. We are proud that air travel continues to be the safest mode of transportation and continue to communicate and collaborate to remain global leaders on aviation safety.

• 5G Interference Won’t Fly
• Fly Healthy, Fly Smart
• REAL ID
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Many foreign governments treat their airlines as strategic assets to their citizens and economy, and have adapted accordingly. These airlines do not face the same tax, regulatory and infrastructure burdens as U.S. airlines do. As a result, foreign carriers are growing at an increasing rate, reinvesting in their products and expanding their global presence.

For our members, access to the fastest-growing global markets is critical to U.S. economic growth and domestic service. Unlike foreign carriers, U.S. airlines serve small, rural and other non-hub communities throughout the country. More profitable international operations enable domestic carriers to provide service to less-profitable small and rural markets.

The government needs to play its role in ensuring U.S. commercial aviation is operating on a level playing field with foreign competitors, enabling carriers to respond with maximum effectiveness to global competition. ​

• Airlines Fly Cargo
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Even though the U.S. airline industry was deregulated in 1978, it is still one of the most regulated industries in the country and government regulations have grown rapidly over the past two decades.

Certain regulations are critical to enhancing airline operations and providing the safest mode of transportation. However, many regulations are unnecessary and costly, negatively impacting the industry’s ability to create jobs and facilitate economic growth. There are several pending and proposed regulations that will not improve safety, security or the passenger experience.​

More thoughtful, consistent and streamlined U.S. airline regulations would save billions of dollars, spurring more investment in newer planes, expanding routes and preserving air service in smaller markets. The government needs to adopt regulations that are based on science and facts, can be justified on a cost-benefit basis and eliminate inefficient rules. ​

• Service Animals
• Stop Air Tax Now
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A4A works to shape and advance productive and practical federal, state, local and international environmental measures, including policies to address climate change, noise impact and more. We advocate for the U.S. airline industry as a model of environmental responsibly and aggressively promote its record of sustainability, especially our members’ ongoing efforts to further reduce carbon emissions.

With fuel being one of the highest and most volatile cost centers for airlines, the U.S. airlines’ environmental and economic interests and saving fuel and reducing associated emissions align. Our members are committed to development and deployment of alternative fuels and have already invested billions of dollars in new aircraft and technologies that decrease emissions.

• Airlines Fly Green
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel
• Airlines Give Back
• Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
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A4A works to accelerate the modernization of technologies and procedures to advance the aviation system, including air traffic control capabilities, airport infrastructure and policies addressing commercial spaceflight and unmanned aircraft. We aggressively advocate for the accelerated implementation of FAA’s NextGen program and the improved delivery of its promised benefits.

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