ALPA Hosts Symposium on Aviation Growth and Stability
The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) brought together aviation’s leading voices to discuss new approaches to challenges facing the U.S. airline industry and how to better position it, and its workers, for success. Read more | Read Press Release
Keynote and Panel Discussions
Panel 1: “Transformational Change” in the FAA
The threat of sequestration loomed large over the opening panel of ALPA’s symposium, “Positioning the U.S. Airline Industry for Success,” which discussed the forthcoming Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization legislation and the priorities of the different aviation constituents. All panelists agreed that the previous route to authorization—with 23 different extensions—is not acceptable, often using the phrase “stable and predictable funding” as the solution. Many pointed out that even the brief shutdown in funding with the last sequestration caused a ripple effect that set the agency back six to eight months, and that the FAA really needed a “transformational change.” Read more
Panel 2: Globalization’s Effect on U.S. Airline Operations
Panelists participating in a discussion titled “Competition from Abroad and Foreign Ownership” examined the implications of new airline business models for competition in the international marketplace. Among other things, they discussed whether the rapid growth of government-backed carriers and the emergence of “flag of convenience” airlines might warrant reconsideration of the existing regulatory frameworks in the Unites States and the European Union. Read more
Keynote: Huerta, FAA Administrator: Time to Set Priorities
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta delivered a direct keynote speech Tuesday, laying out the two main problems facing the agency. “First, there is a lack of predictability in our budgets due to short term extensions and continuing resolutions, and because of the constrained fiscal climate here in Washington,” Huerta said. “Second, we face challenges focusing on core priorities in light of the very diverse interests of all of our stakeholders.” While the administrator did not announce how to solve these issues, he knows that inaction will result in more instability and uncertainty. “It’s clear to me, however, that we will not succeed if we don’t set priorities,” Huerta said. Read more
Panel 3: Regulation, Education, and Enforcement Needed for Safe Integration of UAS
The proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) has been a growing issue in the aviation industry, and experts tackled the issue during the “UAS and RPA Moving Forward in the NAS” panel at ALPA’s symposium Tuesday. The overall conclusion? UAS are here to stay, and a campaign of regulation, education, and enforcement is on tap to make sure our national air space (NAS) stays safe.
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Panel 4: Keeping U.S. Airlines in the Black
Is the U.S. airline industry’s current profitability sustainable? That’s the question moderator Dave Krieger, ALPA’s managing director of Representation and Analysis, asked participants in a panel discussion titled, “Evolving Business Models in the Passenger Industry.” Five representatives from different sectors of aviation examined the state of the U.S. mainline and regional airline industries, and the role of global alliances and joint ventures in today’s aviation market.
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