U.S. Government Reopens, Ending Needless Strain on Aviation Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), today released the following statement responding to the U.S. Government finally reopening after first shutting down on Oct. 1.  

“While we are relieved that Congress reached a deal, the past 43 days set a dangerous precedent that caused unnecessary strain on the world’s safest aviation system. Aviation is a team effort, and when our partners at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—especially air traffic controllers, who already work under demanding conditions—and Transportation Security Officers are forced to operate under duress, the entire system feels the impact. We urge Congress to pass the Aviation Funding Stability Act and similar measures to protect other federal employees to insulate the FAA and frontline aviation workers from effects of future shutdowns.”

“This shutdown inflicted real damage. Beyond disrupting operations and adding risk into the aviation system, it held hostage critical contract negotiations before the National Mediation Board. It hindered essential career growth opportunities and stalled essential mediation processes, including those affecting Air Transport International, FedEx, Frontier, and Western Global. Every day the government remained closed was another day our members could not advance their livelihoods and professional futures.

“Aviation is not a partisan issue—it is the backbone of America's economy and a lifeline for communities nationwide. 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.

“Now that the government has reopened, we look forward to working with Congress and industry stakeholders to advance priorities such as appropriations bills that properly fund the National Mediation Board and protect the public from reducing the number of pilots operating in commercial airliners as well as  the Aviation Funding Stability Act, the ROTOR Act, modernizing air traffic control, the Mental Health in Aviation Act, and maintaining the highest standards that keep 2.9 million passengers and 59,000 tons of cargo moving safely every day.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on X  @ALPAPilots.

CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org.