Airports Council Urges Swift Action to Reopen Government

WASHINGTON – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, today sent a letter to Congressional leaders in support of the current bipartisan deal to reopen the government and issued the following statement from ACI-NA President and CEO, Kevin M. Burke. 

“The government shutdown—now in its 41st day—is severely disrupting America’s aviation system and the broader economy,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.  “Airports across the country are doing everything they can to adapt to reduced operations and support the dedicated federal employees who continue working without pay, but the strain is growing by the day.” 

“We appreciate the Senate’s action to begin advancing a continuing resolution and urge Congress to act swiftly to reopen the government, pay federal employees, and restore operational certainty to the aviation system. The safety and efficiency of our national airspace depend on fully staffed federal partners at the FAA, TSA, and other critical agencies. Airports drive $1.8 trillion in annual economic output and support 12.8 million jobs—this vital economic engine cannot be held hostage to political gridlock.” 

ACI-NA continues to work closely with its airport members and federal partners to monitor the operational impacts of the shutdown and advocate for a full return to normal operations as quickly as possible.  

###

 

About ACI-NA

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports. Collectively, U.S. airports support more than 11.5 million jobs and account for $1.4 trillion in economic activity – or more than seven percent of the total U.S. GDP. Canadian airports support 405,000 jobs and contribute C$35 billion to Canada’s GDP. Learn more at www.airportscouncil.org.