National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen addressed the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee, emphasizing the urgent need to reform the nation's air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure. Bolen's testimony was part of a hearing titled “FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024: Stakeholder Perspectives on Implementation One Year Later.”
Bolen acknowledged lawmakers for their efforts in passing a comprehensive reauthorization bill last year but stressed that further action is required. "We must ensure the implementation of the reauthorization bill, and we urgently need to make a massive investment in our national airspace system," he stated. He noted that with the committee's oversight, progress is being made by both government and industry.
The NBAA president expressed support for an ATC investment package proposed by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, which outlines significant investments in personnel and technology upgrades by 2028. "By the end of 2028, the plan calls for an investment in people that will provide the United States with over 14,000 well-trained and highly skilled air traffic controllers," Bolen said.