Aviation Sector Warns Congress on FAA Funding Risks for 2026

Nearly 60 aviation organizations are urging the US Congress to approve legislation that would shield Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations from government shutdowns and ensure stable funding for air traffic services. The appeal comes as the industry prepares for a potential federal shutdown in January 2026. According to the Modern Skies Coalition, passengers, shippers and other system users contribute roughly US$24 billion annually through fees and taxes. “They deserve for the services they pay for to continue even during a government shutdown,” the coalition said.

The coalition backs legislation that would allow the FAA to continue operating using existing balances in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The proposal seeks to prevent disruptions to safety oversight, certification processes and air traffic control services—all of which have been affected during previous prolonged shutdowns.

During a Senate hearing titled “Flying Empty: How Shutdowns Threaten Aviation Safety, Travel and the Economy,” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen detailed the operational disruptions seen during the most recent shutdown. He said the FAA issued an emergency order on Nov. 6, 2025, reducing flight operations—commercial and business aviation—at 40 US airports. Four days later, non-scheduled operations were halted at an additional 12 airports, significantly affecting business aviation. Bolen stressed that operators fully complied with the restrictions to ensure safety and prevent congestion.

Bolen also noted that business aviation supports more than one million jobs and provides critical connectivity for rural communities, medical flights and humanitarian missions. He said the shutdown underscored the need for legislation that ensures FAA functions financed directly by users can continue uninterrupted. “Ending the shutdown was only the first step. Now Congress must pass legislation that ensures continuity of aviation services funded by users and refocus efforts on modernizing the air traffic control system,” he said, adding that modernization is essential for maintaining efficiency and economic resilience.

The Modern Skies Coalition—which includes Airlines for America, the International Air Transport Association, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and manufacturers Boeing and Airbus—supports the Funding Stability Act of 2025 and the Aviation Funding Solvency Act. Both measures seek to prevent interruptions to critical FAA operations during federal budget disputes.

In its statement, the coalition said the aviation system can no longer remain vulnerable to political instability. “Enough. It is time to pass this common-sense legislation,” the group said.