NATCA Applauds Senate for Vote on FAA Reauthorization
Five-Year Reauthorization Is Key Part to Long-Term Stability for FAA

WASHINGTON – The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) today issued this statement from NATCA President Paul Rinaldi after the U.S. Senate passed a five-year Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill with overwhelming bipartisan support. The length of the reauthorization is notable; it’s the first time since 1982 that the FAA will have received a full five-year reauthorization.

Rinaldi stated, “The five-year reauthorization is a key part of providing long-term stability for the FAA, which NATCA has advocated for over the last several years. It supports air traffic control services, staffing, hiring and training, long-term modernization, preventative maintenance, ongoing modernization of the physical infrastructure, and maintaining services to all segments of our nation’s diverse aviation community.

“This bipartisan bill would not have been possible without the great leadership of Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. NATCA thanks them for their efforts to reach consensus on the legislation and leading this bill to its successful passage in the Senate.”