Disruptions And Safety Risks Continue Rising As Flights Reduced

As the shutdown of the U.S. government extends into a sixth week while aviation workers continue to bear the brunt of inaction and the FAA begins to reduce the number of commercial flights, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, once again pleaded with Congressional leaders to take the steps necessary to reopen the government.

Capt. Jason Ambrosi, President of ALPA issued the following statement to Congress:

“For weeks, air traffic controllers and thousands of other federal aviation workers have been suffering as a result of the gridlock in Washington. With the Federal Aviation Administration's announcement of measures to slow air traffic, the consequences will extend beyond federal workers and impact passengers and cargo shipments. It’s time to reopen the government.

“Our country depends on safe air travel. This shutdown is adding unnecessary risk to the safety of our skies and places an unbearable burden on the frontline workers who protect us every day.

“Everyone should agree aviation safety is non-partisan, political leaders must find a way to end the shutdown now.”

The ALPA was founded in 1931 and is the largest airline pilot union in the world representing more than 80,000 pilots flying for 43 airlines in Canada and the United States.

FMI:  www.alpa.org/