FAA Administrator Echoes ALPA’s Call for U.S. Leadership in Aviation
Calls For Global Safety, Global Efficiency, and Global Environmental Sustainability

May 2, 2014 - Today, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l joined leaders from all sectors of the aviation community and members of the press at this month’s International Aviation Club Luncheon at the City Club of Washington in Washington, D.C. The luncheon’s keynote speaker, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta, stressed the importance of maintaining leadership in the global aviation market.

Making the case for maintaining global leadership in aviation, Administrator Huerta’s remarks focused on the FAA’s commitment to three main pillars: global safety, global efficiency, and global environmental sustainability. In order to achieve these pillars, Administrator Huerta stressed that, as leaders in the aviation community, we all need to work together to ensure safer and smarter skies. He also stated that this is a priority in maintaining our leadership.

“As we stand between the past and where we are heading into the future, we have the opportunity, in this moment, to leave our mark on commercial aviation. The FAA is committed to making it safer, making it more efficient, and making it greener,” said Administrator Huerta. “We are looking to you and industry to do your part, to work with us, so we can deliver greater benefits to the world. That’s where our focus in aviation needs to be, leadership in the world.”

Administrator Huerta’s comments today echoed ALPA’s strong commitment in the need to take a global perspective on aviation issues and implement an aviation strategy to compete in the global marketplace. A critical component to this strategy is to invest in NextGen technology. “We need to continue modernizing our infrastructure in aviation. Innovation of technology is the reason why our U.S. aviation system is successful today. NextGen is crucial to that goal and the future of aviation,” said Administrator Huerta. “NextGen technology will improve communications between pilots and air traffic controllers leading to faster taxi times, reduced delays, and open more routes in the skies; all while committing to a safer, greener, and a more efficient airspace.”

ALPA is committed to working with the FAA, lawmakers, and the entire aviation community to ensure that we maintain our leadership in the global aviation market and will continue to push for the implementation of NextGen technology.