FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2019
Citing Air Travel Disruptions, ACI-NA Calls for Final Conclusion to the Government Shutdown
Washington – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) President and CEO Kevin M. Burke today welcomed the announcement by President Donald J. Trump that he and congressional leaders have agreed to reopen the government temporarily, but warned that without a final conclusion to the partial government shutdown passengers will continue to experience air travel delays and disruptions across the United States. Burke also repeated his call for President Trump and Congress to reach a long-term deal that restores certainty in air travel for federal workers and air passengers.
“ACI-NA and our member airports have warned policymakers for weeks about adverse impacts the partial government shutdown would have on safety, security, and efficiency of the United States’ National Airspace System and our airports.
“Today’s air traffic delays along the eastern seaboard—although effectively managed by hard-working air traffic professionals who have gone five weeks without pay—demonstrate an aviation system that is rapidly approaching a breaking point.
“Given similar scenarios with lengthy wait times inside our airport terminals as TSA transportation security officers and CBP officers are forced to work without pay, the safety and security of our aviation system will only deteriorate without an immediate end to this shutdown.
“While we welcome news that the President and congressional leaders have agreed to temporarily reopen the government, ACI-NA strongly urges them to reach a long-term deal that ensures the dedicated federal workers who make our air transportation system run are paid so that our air transportation system is restored to its full capability.”
