ALPA Now Calls for FAA Protections in Future Government Closures

The federal government’s reopening after a 43-day shutdown was cause for widespread celebration throughout the industry, which was on the brink of collapse as thousands of flights were chopped each day it dragged on. For unions, the excitement was quickly replaced with the urge to protect aviation when a repeat inevitably occurs.

The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents more than 80,000 pilots across the US and Canada, is leading the charge. Specifically, the union is calling on Congress to pass the Aviation Funding Stability Act, which would allow the FAA to continue operating during funding lapses by drawing from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF). ALPA also noted that it would continue backing the ROTOR Act, the Mental Health in Aviation Act, and other initiatives that boost safety and public confidence.

“This shutdown inflicted real damage. Beyond disrupting operations and adding risk into the aviation system… it hindered essential career growth opportunities and stalled essential mediation processes,” explained ALPA President Captain Jason Ambrosi. “Every day the government remained closed was another day our members could not advance their livelihoods and professional futures.”

According to ALPA, the shutdown’s impact extended well beyond daily operations. Critical pilot contract negotiations involving the National Mediation Board screeched to a halt, delaying progress for pilots at Air Transport International, FedEx, Frontier, and Western Global. The tension of this setback has triggered talks of strikes.

The union also stressed that aviation’s complexity makes it more vulnerable than many other industries. As Ambrosi put it, “aviation is not a partisan issue—it is the backbone of America's economy and a lifeline for communities nationwide.” Moving nearly 2.9 million passengers and 59,000 tons of cargo each day depends on uninterrupted coordination across federal agencies and industry partners.

“As challenging as this shutdown was, it also demonstrated our solidarity. I’m proud of ALPA members who supported colleagues across the system, from delivering meals to air traffic controllers to standing together in unity,” Ambrosi added.

FMI: www.alpa.org