Newsroom
NATCA Member Briefs Sen. Jeff Merkley
NATCA member Renee Zapf (Hillsboro ATCT, HIO) attended a two-day legislative briefing with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and his staff. The briefing took place June 19 and 20 in Portland and Salem. Zapf discussed the potential use of artificial intelligence in air traffic control, system-wide upgrades, and the need for modernization of equipment…
NATCA Boots on the Ground Campaign Officially Kicks Off
NATCA’s 2026 Boots on the Ground Campaign has officially kicked off. Members have now started their full-time leadership roles as part of the AFL-CIO’s Member-to-Member program. The campaign officially started in July when volunteers attended one of two boot camps hosted by the AFL-CIO. Half the volunteers attended the four-day camp in Phoenix, while the…
NATCA Members Meet with U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman, Discussing Pay Parity and Aviation Mental Health
NATCA members Brian Schmelzel (Washington Center, ZDC) and Arianna Bocci (ZDC) recently attended an event with U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman (Va.-7) on June 10, 2026. The three discussed pay parity for air traffic controllers and the Mental Health in Aviation Act. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (Va.) also attended the event. Schmelzel and Bocci discussed with…
Press Releases
NATCA Thanks Congress for Passage of Appropriations to End Shutdown and Fund the Government, Calls on Congress to Pass the Aviation Solvency Act
(WASHINGTON) – The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) thanks Congress for passing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) bill that ends the partial government shutdown and provides increased funding for the Federal Aviation Administration through the remainder of the fiscal year. NATCA thanks Appropriations Chair Collins, Ranking Member Murray, Chairman Cole, and Ranking Member DeLauro…
NATCA CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS FUNDING TO END GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
(WASHINGTON) – Today, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) expressed its disappointment that Congress was unable to reach an agreement to fund the government and called on legislators to end the government shutdown as soon as possible. This shutdown occurs less than three months after a record-long government shutdown that put unnecessary strain on the traveling public, the economy, and the aviation safety professionals who are vital to maintaining the safety of our…
ICYMI: Video of Press Conference at NATCA’s National Office as Air Traffic Controllers Receive Second Zero-Dollar Paycheck
Earlier today, President Nick Daniels held a press conference at NATCA’s National Office to mark the second consecutive zero-dollar paycheck for the nation’s air traffic controllers. Daniels discussed the growing personal and professional toll that the shutdown is taking on air traffic controllers, and the potential impact on the traveling public as the busy holiday…
Congressional Testimony
Read NATCA President Nick Daniel’s Full Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Aviation of the Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure United States House of Representatives
Read the full text of NATCA President Nick Daniel’s testimony before the Subcommittee on Aviation of the Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure United States House of Representatives here.
NATCA President Santa’s testimony before House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation
Read House Aviation Subcommittee Written Testimony of NATCA President Rich Santa PDF here Watch the hearing and learn more here. 3-23-23 House Aviation Subcommittee Written Testimony of NATCA President Rich Santa FINAL[100]Download
Podcasts
Listen to every episode of The NATCA Podcast here:
