Modern Skies Coalition Urges Congress to Shield the Aviation Ecosystem from Government Shutdowns

WASHINGTON, November 19, 2025 – Today, a broad coalition of aviation stakeholders released the statement below:

“As members of the Modern Skies Coalition, we urge Congress to ensure that our nation’s aviation system and those who rely upon it are never subjected to another government shutdown. Travelers, shippers and other users of the system pay nearly $24 billion in taxes and fees every year for aviation operations, including air traffic control services, safety and security, and they deserve uninterrupted delivery of those services.

Our Coalition supports legislation that preserves the safety and operational integrity of the aviation ecosystem by protecting federal aviation workers and infrastructure. This includes ensuring that air traffic controllers, technicians, safety inspectors and certification personnel, TSA agents and CBP officers are compensated without interruption during a shutdown by drawing on monies already paid into the system by the users.

We strongly support Chairman Moran’s bill (and the House companion bills introduced by Representatives Cohen and Bean) to shield the FAA from funding lapses by allowing the agency to draw from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund during a shutdown. We also strongly support the bill introduced by Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen which would draw on monies paid by aviation users to continue critical FAA functions.

There is no reason aviation should be subjected to shutdowns that result from Washington’s inability to come to consensus on funding bills. Enough is enough. The time for this common sense and critical legislation is now.”

Aeronautical Repair Station Association
Affordable Skies
Airbus
Airline Passenger Experience Association
Air Line Pilots Association, International
Air Medical Operators Association
Air Traffic Control Association
Aircraft Electronics Association
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Airlines for America
Airports Council International – North America
Allied Pilots Association
Alpha Eta Rho
American Association of Airport Executives
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
American Society of Travel Advisors
Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International
Association of Air Medical Services
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
Association of Professional Flight Attendants
Association of Value Airlines
Aviation Technical Education Council
Cargo Airline Association
Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations
Experimental Aircraft Association
GE Aerospace
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Global Business Travel Association
International Aircraft Dealers Association
International Air Transport Association
International Council of Air Shows
International Flight Services Association
National Air Carrier Association
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Air Transportation Association
National Association of State Aviation Officials
National Business Aviation Association
NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots
Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO
RTCA
Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association
Recreational Aviation Foundation
Regional Airline Association
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association
The Boeing Company
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO
Travelers United
United States Parachute Association
United States Tour Operators Association
U.S. Contract Tower Association
U.S. Helicopter Safety Team
U.S. Travel Association
Vertical Aviation International
Vertical Flight Society