ISSUES
20
NiW Today NATCA in Washington 2026
Issue
FAA Needs Funding Stability and Robust Appropriations Levels
u
Quick Reference
One.of.the.most.serious.challenges.facing.the.FAA.is.a.persistently.unpredictable,.
unstable.funding.stream.due.to.government.shutdowns.and.threatened.shutdowns.
due.to.lapses.in.appropriations..NATCA.remains.concerned.about.the.risks.inherent.
in.a.government.shutdown.and.the.compounding.negative.effects.that.a.shutdown.
can.have.on.aviation.safety,.efficiency,.and.the.U.S..economy.
2
It.is.never."business.as.usual".for.air.traffic.controllers.and.other.aviation.safety.
professionals.during.a.government.shutdown..Shutdowns.threaten.the.safety.
and.efficiency.of.the.National.Airspace.System.(NAS).and.negatively.affect.
the.approximately.10.million.aviation-related.jobs.and.the.$1.5.trillion.annually.
that.aviation.contributes.to.the.U.S..economy..
3
NATCA.is.also.concerned.with.a.lack.of.adequate.funding.for.the.FAA,.as.a.result.of.
historical.annual.budget.requests.not.meeting.all.of.its.needs..Congress.has.consistently.
provided.the.FAA.with.its.requested.funding.levels..However,.those.requests.often.
have.fallen.short.of.what.is.needed.and.have.not.kept.up.with.inflation.
4
NATCA.strongly.supports.the.FAA's.plan.to.develop.a.Brand.New.Air.Traffic.
Control.System.(BNATCS).and.thanks.Congress.for.providing.a.historic.
$12.5.billion.down.payment.for.this.critical.initiative..BNATCS.will.replace.
outdated.equipment.and.technology.such.as.radar,.software,.hardware,.and.
telecommunications.networks..The.FAA.will.need.an.additional.$20.billion.in.
dedicated.funding.to.complete.the.entire.BNATCS.program.
How This Issue Affects NATCA Members
Disruptions to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding and significant budgetary shortfalls create a
more stressful, less productive work environment for all aviation safety professionals. Funding shortfalls
delay the implementation of vital modernization technology, sustainment, and repair of existing safety-critical
equipment, and the hiring and training of new controllers and other aviation safety professionals. Historically,
government shutdowns – even threatened shutdowns – as a result of expiring appropriations or authorization,
create uncertainty and stress for NATCA members about when they will be paid for working during a
shutdown. These funding disruptions also impede controller hiring and training efforts and delay critical
modernization and safety programs.
