NBAA Joins Modern Skies Coalition in Telling Congress: Stop Essential Work Without Pay

Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-431-5970, [email protected]

Washington, DC, March 25, 2026 - The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today joined more than 60 organizations in the Modern Skies Coalition in issuing the following statement on the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown:

As the shutdown stretches into its sixth week, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers (TSOs) are now on day 40 without a full paycheck. Just last fall, federal aviation employees went 43 days without pay during the longest government shutdown in history. Acting Administrator Ha McNeill has said that TSOs have now been working without pay for one half of the fiscal year!

It is up to Congress to ensure that TSA officers, U.S. Customs airport officers, air traffic controllers and others are paid for the essential work they do every day to keep passengers and cargo moving safely and securely.

Government shutdowns have real-life impacts. The human cost is real, with more than 400 TSA officers quitting, thousands of passengers impacted by delays and 4+ hour wait times at airports. Congress must act now before our system breaks.

At the same time, our nation's air traffic control system is also under immense strain from a longstanding air traffic controller shortage and outdated technology. Shutdowns set back efforts to hire, train and modernize.

The aviation industry and the people who work in it cannot continue to be used as political leverage.

Congress has the power to end this dysfunction once and for all, and must use any legislative vehicle to accomplish this goal. The Aviation Funding Solvency Act and the Aviation Funding Stability Act would ensure that air traffic controllers and other safety personnel are paid during a shutdown. The Keep America Flying Act would provide the same protection for TSA officers.

We urge Congress to utilize any legislation moving through the process to add these provisions that would ensure the aviation system isn't subjected to another shutdown that jeopardizes safety and security.

• Aeronautical Repair Station Association
• Affordable Skies
• Air Line Pilots Association
• Air Medical Operators Association
• Air Traffic Control Association
• Airbus
• Aircraft Electronics Association
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• Airline Passenger Experience 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 of Flight Attendants-CWA
• Association of Air Medical Services
• Association of Professional Flight Attendants
• Association of Value Airlines
• Aviation Technical Education Council
• Cargo Airline Association
• Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations
• Experimental Aircraft Association
• 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
• Recreational Aviation Foundation
• Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association
• Regional Airline Association
• Southwest Airlines Pilots Association
• Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO
• Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
• United States Parachute Association
• United States Tour Operators Association
• U.S. Contract Tower Association
• U.S. Travel Association
• US Helicopter Safety Team
• Vertical Aviation International

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.

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