< Back
Modern Skies Coalition Statement Calling on Congress to Stop Essential Work Without Pay that Jeopardizes Aviation Safety and Security

Modern Skies Coalition Statement Calling on Congress to Stop Essential Work Without Pay that Jeopardizes Aviation Safety and Security

March 25, 2026

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2026 — The Modern Skies Coalition today issued 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 McNeil 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air traffic control system is also under immense strain from a longstanding air traffic controller shortage and outdated technology.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.

 

Read the full press release here.

 

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

Submitting form...