Flying on Empty: How Shutdowns Threaten Air Safety, Travel, and the Economy

Video Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation will convene a hearing titled: “Flying on Empty: How Shutdowns Threaten Air Safety, Travel, and the Economy” on Wednesday, November 19th at 2:30pm EST. This hearing will examine the toll Democrats’ government shutdown took on the air traffic control system, airline operations, and training. The hearing will also review how the Democrats’ intransigence caused the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce air traffic at 40 “high-volume” airports by 10 percent. Given ongoing air traffic issues disrupting the efficiency of the national airspace -- including radar outages at Newark International Airport, the midair collision in Washington, D.C. in January, and staffing shortages impacting the controller workforce -- it is crucial to discuss how the Schumer shutdown worsened harm to an already strained workforce. Witnesses: Mr. Nick Daniels, President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) Former Governor Chris Sununu, President and Chief Executive Officer, Airlines for America (A4A) Mr. Jim Viola, President and Chief Executive Officer, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)