Airlines for America CEO: 'We support efforts by the President' to ensure that aviation remains the safest mode of transportation

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Airlines for America President & CEO Nicholas Calio | https://www.airlines.org/our-leadership/

By Sky Industry News

Mar 25, 2025

Nicholas E. Calio, CEO of Airlines for America (A4A), commended President Trump's leadership for taking swift action on air traffic control staffing and modernization. Calio made this statement in a press release on February 6.

"We applaud the bold leadership of President Trump taking swift, decisive action to get adequate staffing in air traffic control facilities and to modernize our nation's ATC technologies with smarter, more efficient equipment," said E. Calio, President and CEO. "The days of paper strips and floppy disks must end. Carriers have made remarkable changes and meaningful investments in technologies, operations, products and people. The government needs to do the same in an organized and timely way. Safety is and always will be our top priority, and we support efforts by the President, his Administration and Congress to ensure that aviation remains the safest mode of transportation in the U.S. and around the world."

According to Calio, following President Trump's remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast, the President's actions to improve air traffic control (ATC) staffing and modernize outdated technologies are bold and necessary. He emphasized the need to replace inefficient systems, particularly the use of paper strips and floppy disks. Calio also highlighted significant investments airlines have made to enhance operations and urged continued collaboration to strengthen the nation's airspace management.

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Calio testified before the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee, urging immediate action on air traffic control staffing, infrastructure, and funding. He called for an emergency funding package to address staffing shortages, modernize outdated technology, and improve the National Airspace System’s efficiency. Calio warned that without swift investments, flight delays, cancellations, and safety risks could increase. He urged lawmakers to prioritize aviation system improvements to meet growing passenger demand. A4A is committed to working with policymakers to ensure a more reliable and resilient air transportation network.

On February 27, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy issued a press release announcing a plan to accelerate air traffic controller hiring at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy in Oklahoma City. The initiative aims to address staffing shortages by expanding recruitment efforts and streamlining the hiring process. Duffy emphasized the importance of increasing the controller workforce to ensure safer and more efficient air travel. The announcement follows growing concerns about air traffic management capacity and the need for modernization.

According to a March 21 report by Reuters, Secretary Duffy has outlined a comprehensive proposal to overhaul the U.S. air traffic control system. The plan seeks "tens of billions of dollars" from Congress to modernize the FAA's infrastructure, including new radar systems, air traffic control terminals, and runway safety technology. The initiative aims to replace outdated technologies with modern systems such as fiber optics, wireless, and satellite communications.

Airlines for America advocates for policies that ensure safety, security, and a strong U.S. airline industry. In collaboration with airlines, labor groups, Congress, and the Administration, A4A works to enhance aviation for passengers and shippers. Commercial aviation contributes $1.45 trillion annually to the U.S. economy and supports more than 10 million jobs.