Hickenlooper, Bennet, DeGette, Neguse, Crow, Pettersen Press FAA to Approve Denver’s Plan to Pay Air Traffic Controllers

Denver submitted a proposal to the FAA to pay air traffic controllers from airport funds, following FAA's plan to reduce 10% of flights for 40 airports

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper led Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen to call on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to quickly approve Denver International Airport's emergency waiver and allow airports to pay air traffic controllers who are working without pay due to the Republicans' government shutdown. Many controllers are currently working outside jobs to earn a paycheck and support their families, before and after working full shifts keeping the flying public safe.

"Thousands of ATCs nationwide work long hours daily, experience fatigue, and overcome chronic staffing shortfalls in order to maintain the highest levels of reliability and safety of the National Airspace System," wrote the Colorado lawmakers. "[Denver] has provided a commonsense proposal that provides a temporary lifeline to the very people ensuring the safety of our skies. Given the urgency of this situation, which now directly affects airports across the country, we urge your immediate approval of this request…"

This Wednesday, Denver submitted a proposal to temporarily use airport funds to pay controllers to protect public safety, following Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's announcement that the FAA would reduce 10 percent of flights for 40 airports nationwide, including Denver.

The Colorado lawmakers called on the FAA to immediately approve the airport's request and work with other local partners around the country to protect public safety during the lapse in federal funding. They urged the FAA to commit to fully repaying Denver once the government reopens to make sure local partners are not penalized for stepping up to protect the public and air travel during the shutdown.

Republicans control the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives, yet they have kept the federal government shut down for 38 days - the longest in history. So far, Republicans refuse to work with Democrats to reopen the government and prevent 24 million Americans from paying double for their health care - or losing their coverage entirely. Hickenlooper has consistently worked to get Republicans to understand the price increases they'll cause if they don't negotiate with Democrats and extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for working families.

Full letter available HERE and below:

Dear Administrator Bedford,

We write to you as members of the Colorado congressional delegation committed to supporting the safety and security needs of major airports and dedicated air traffic controllers (ATCs) who have worked without pay during the ongoing federal government shutdown. We write in support of the request from Denver International Airport (DEN) that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issue guidance or emergency waivers of applicable law to allow airports to use temporary financing tools to immediately pay impacted ATCs, with a process for federal reimbursement once the federal government reopens. DEN submitted this request yesterday, in response to Secretary Duffy's announcement of an upcoming 10% reduction in flights at major U.S. airports.

Thousands of ATCs nationwide work long hours daily, experience fatigue, and overcome chronic staffing shortfalls in order to maintain the highest levels of reliability and safety of the National Airspace System (NAS). DEN has provided a commonsense proposal that provides a temporary lifeline to the very people ensuring the safety of our skies.

Given the urgency of this situation, which now directly affects airports in across the country, we urge your immediate approval of this request and also ask for your firm commitment that the FAA will work with DEN - and any other airport sponsor that takes this necessary action-to ensure a full and prompt reimbursement for these costs upon the enactment of a continuing resolution or appropriations bill. These local partners should not be penalized for stepping up to protect federal operations and crucial public safety during this lapse in federal funding.

We share a mutual interest in the safety and stability of the NAS. Authorizing this local solution is a vital step towards ensuring that public safety is maintained. We look forward to your prompt and favorable response.

Sincerely,

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