Aviation is a fundamental lifeline of America, connecting its many cities and towns with one another and providing a gateway to the world. Likewise, aviation is a major economic driver, producing 5 percent of the U.S gross national product and accounting for 900,000 jobs and $1.5 trillion in annual domestic economic activity. America’s airlines will transport more than 900 million passengers and 66 million ton-miles of cargo in 2017. In addition, some of these airlines serve the nation’s Civil Reserve Air Fleet, providing integral transport for the military during times of crisis.

ALPA pilots work at the epicenter of the airline industry and play an indispensable role in its success and prospects for the future. This unique perspective requires ALPA’s more than 55,000 members to proactively ensure that air transportation operates efficiently and successfully and that their passengers and cargo arrive safely.

On February 14, ALPA issued its policy paper We Keep America Flying, which outlines the Association’s views on issues like upholding international trade agreements, upgrading the nation’s air transportation infrastructure, and other needed improvements. The policy paper asserts, “The actions recommended will enable the U.S. airline industry and the trillions of dollars of economic activity it creates to safely, securely, and efficiently soar into the future with qualified pilots at the helm because ‘We Keep America Flying.’”

The following international topics are among the issues outlined in ALPA’s policy paper.

Open and Fair Skies

International trade is an essential part of the U.S. economy; however, poor trade policies or unenforced trade rules can cripple the U.S. workforce and undermine the very purpose of international competition and cooperation. To ensure the effectiveness of trade decisions for air transport, the United States must enforce Open Skies agreements, and the U.S. trade representative must oppose the inclusion of air service in general trade deals.

Flags of Convenience: Norwegian Air

Norwegian Air International (NAI) is an example of a flag-of-convenience business model—the same approach responsible for the destruction of the American maritime shipping industry. Foreign flag-of-convenience carriers put American airlines and jobs at risk, and the new presidential administration should move to revoke or suspend NAI’s foreign air carrier permit.

State-Owned/Supported Enterprises

State-owned enterprises that compete with U.S. airlines and workers are, in some cases, distorting global markets with massive subsidies. The harm to the U.S. economy from these subsidies is both evident and increasing. Accordingly, the U.S. government must uphold the principles of U.S. Open Skies agreements and refuse to negotiate new trade deals with countries whose airlines operate using government subsidies.

Fly America

Since 1974, passengers and cargo whose travel is paid for by the U.S. government have generally been required to obtain transportation provided by a U.S. airline, per the Fly America Act. Until 2015, the General Services Administration required that, if an air carrier intended to serve a city-pair through a code-share agreement, the U.S. carrier must still be responsible for that service and to “not act as a mere booking agent on behalf of” a foreign partner. The original intent of the Fly America statute must be supported.

Foreign Ownership and Control/Cabotage

Limits on foreign ownership and foreign control, and a prohibition on cabotage by foreign airlines, are core components of the regulatory structure that protects the U.S. airline industry. These regulations must be upheld to ensure the security of America and the integrity of the U.S. airline industry.

The following topics promoting one level of safety and security are also highlighted.

Safe Shipments of Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods

ALPA has long advocated for improved transport requirements for dangerous goods. In the interest of air cargo safety, the Association urges the Department of Transportation to harmonize U.S. hazardous materials regulations to conform with the international dangerous goods technical instructions implemented by the International Civil Aviation Organization last April.

Maintaining the Current Minimum First Officer Qualifications

The most important safety feature of any airline operation is a well-trained, highly experienced, and qualified pilot. Maintaining current standards is paramount to the safety of the U.S. air transportation system.

Future of the Piloting Profession

Highly skilled and well-trained airline pilots play a critical role in safely transporting passengers and cargo. Attracting the best and the brightest to join the ranks of today’s airline pilots continues to be a priority, and the airline industry must collectively work to maintain pilot qualification standards and offer reasonable starting compensation to inspire the next generation to consider an aviation industry career.

Safe Integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Unmanned aircraft systems will eventually be integrated into the national airspace system, interacting with other aircraft in a manner similar to “pilot on board” aircraft. The technology supporting these autonomous or remotely piloted operations is expanding rapidly, and regulators are struggling to keep pace. Lawmakers and regulators must safeguard this integration so that it does not introduce new risks that could negatively impact the airline industry safety record.

Air Traffic Control Modernization and Reform

Across much of the country, airliners continue to fly with 1950s air traffic infrastructure components. While these components are still safe, the aging infrastructure was not designed to accommodate the advancements that are taking place throughout the industry. NextGen investments and funding for the FAA must be a national priority moving forward.

Strengthening Voluntary Safety Reporting Programs

Voluntary safety reporting programs encourage and use safety information provided by frontline employees and airlines to identify safety risks. Without these valuable safety tools, unidentified risks could go unmitigated and remain within the system. Congress and the FAA must ensure that the processing of these reports is streamlined and that the system is expanded to include security issues that the Transportation Security Administration can access.

Addressing Cargo Safety and Security

Many of the safety and security layers protecting the passenger airline industry are absent from all-cargo operations. Ramp areas used by cargo aircraft may not be required to be included in an airport operator’s security identification display area and are more easily accessible. Measures must be taken to ensure one level of safety and security for all-cargo operations.

Installing Secondary Barriers on Airliners

Americans still remain vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Secondary cockpit barriers are an inexpensive way to provide an additional layer of defense against potential perpetrators and should be mandated on all airliners.

Improving Support for the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program

The Federal Flight Deck Officer program provides a critical security layer for the U.S. aviation system, and the Transportation Security Administration needs to ensure that this program is fully funded and given the support it deserves.

Cybersecurity on Aircraft

Airlines use highly advanced information technology systems, including onboard networks to manage aircraft operation systems as well as flight control and navigation systems. Airline industry stakeholders must work together to develop strategies to mitigate the risks of harmful cyber-related attacks on airline aircraft.

Read We Keep America Flying.