Aviation industry to Trump and Congress: End shutdown or risk more travel troubles

A coalition of aviation industry groups from the Air Line Pilots Association to the U.S. Travel Association sent a letter to President Trump and congressional leaders Thursday, urging an end to the second longest government shutdown.

"This partial shutdown has already inflicted real damage to our nation’s aviation system and the impacts will only worsen over time,'' the letter says. "We urge you to act quickly to resolve these issues.''

Two flight attendant unions, the Association of Flight Attendants-CW, AFL-CIO and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, echoed the concerns Thursday in their own appeal to the government. It said its members and the traveling public are "less safe and secure'' due to the impact of the shutdown.

"End this shutdown,'' the letter says. "Do not put flight attendants, other aviation workers, and the traveling public at risk any longer. Border security is an important issue and it deserves a fulsome solution. Please return our government to full capacity now, and continue your discussions once that is done. We cannot sacrifice critical safety, security, and economic stability in the airline industry as another area of national security is discussed.''

The letter from 34 associations highlights 11 major areas of concern affecting travel, including:

Longer airport wait times and possible checkpoint shutdowns: "Nearly all TSA and CBP (Customers and Border Protection) personnel are working without pay, which creates a severe financial hardship for many. Many are warning that several Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) are living paycheck to paycheck and will be forced to find other work, without any means to replace them. We expect workforce capacity issues will increase the longer the government is partially shut down and employees face working without the certainty of a paycheck. This could result in significant operational impacts at airports across the country."

More: TSA Union: Officers quitting over shutdown

The groups said a decline in the number of TSA agents screening travelers means "wait times will grow and larger crowds will be forced to congregate in public areas of airports."

Checkpoints may have to be closed in some cases, they say.

"Some airports are already struggling to keep up with a record number of travelers, and reduced staffing levels will exacerbate problems in the near-term and into the busy spring and summer travel seasons,'' the letter says. "Reduced staffing levels are of particular concern at airports that have high-profile events ongoing or scheduled to occur in the near future, including major trade shows and sporting events."

The shutdown has also closed CBP's trusted traveler program, Global Entry. 

Aircraft safety: "Most of the FAA staff who certify the safety of aircraft
have been furloughed and safety reporting and oversight systems have been
suspended. This is critical to resolving identified issues. The continued
shutdown of these certification functions will also delay some companies in
bringing their products to market and hurt deliveries and exports. We
understand and appreciate that the FAA is committed to bringing all safety
inspectors back to work, but it is not currently clear whether they will be able
to perform key functions impacting operations."

Air Traffic Control: "Training of air traffic controllers has been
suspended, slowing the arrival of new workers in a system that is already at a
30-year low. As the shutdown persists, excepted air traffic controllers and
workers in technical operations, who operate and maintain safety-critical
navigational aids, surveillance, and communications equipment, are
performing highly skilled and safety-critical services without pay. Moreover,
the shutdown strains resources that are available for maintaining and
servicing these critical ATC systems."

Pilot training: "The FAA is unable to issue new student pilot certificates, which has halted training for countless prospective pilots. Similarly, the FAA is unable to issue certifications required for current pilots to upgrade their position meaning these pilots will experience a delay in their planned upgrades until the shutdown is resolved. The FAA is not processing mandated pilot background checks (PRIA). These are critical for continuity of operations - without these PRIA authorizations, new hire pilot training is at a standstill."

The letter was signed by 34 associations:

Aerospace Industries Association
Aeronautical Repair Station Association
Air Line Pilots Association
Air Medical Operators Association
Air Traffic Control Association
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Airlines for America
Airport Consultants Council
Airports Council International-North America
American Association of Airport Executives
Association of Air Medical Services
Association of Flight Attendants - CWA
Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems Int’l
Aviation Suppliers Association
Aviation Technician Education Council
Cargo Airline Association
Commercial Drone Alliance
Commercial Spaceflight Federation
Experimental Aircraft Association
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Helicopter Association International
International Air Transport Association
International Brotherhood of Teamsters - Airline Division
Modification and Replacement Parts Association
National Air Carrier Association
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Air Transportation Association
National Association of State Aviation Officials
National Business Aviation Association
Professional Aviation Maintenance Association
Regional Airline Association
Security Manufacturers Coalition
Travelers United
U.S. Travel Association