Reps. Gillen, Begich Lead Bipartisan Aviation Weather Safety Bill

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-NY-04) and Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK-AL), members of both the House Transportation and Infrastructure and House Science, Space and Technology Committees, introduced the Aviation Weather Safety Improvement Act. This bipartisan bill would require the Director of the National Weather Service (NWS) to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the representatives of air traffic controllers and NWS meteorologists, to ensure adequate staffing.

“Long Island is home to one of the busiest and most complex airspaces in the nation, placing enormous demands on our aviation safety infrastructure. For this reason, adequate staffing of air traffic controllers and meteorologists is critical. Yet many are under tremendous strain from staffing shortages, posing a serious risk to both safety and reliability in our aviation system,” said Congresswoman Gillen. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation to strengthen coordination and ensure aviation meteorologists are physically present at FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers. Their expertise is essential to monitoring rapidly changing weather conditions and providing real-time guidance that keeps flights safe and on schedule across the country.”

“In Alaska, aviation is a critical link in the global supply chain. From bush flights serving remote villages to the nonstop cargo traffic moving through Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, safety and reliability must always come first. That’s why I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort alongside Congresswoman Gillen,” said Congressman Begich. “The Aviation Weather Safety Improvement Act strengthens coordination among the FAA, the National Weather Service, and air traffic controllers to ensure Center Weather Service Units are adequately staffed and equipped to support the safe and efficient movement of aircraft. With Anchorage among the busiest cargo airports in the world, we have a responsibility to lead on aviation weather safety and make sure Alaska remains the hallmark of reliability and excellence in our national airspace system.”

"The FAA Managers Association strongly supports the introduction of the Aviation Weather Safety Improvement Act of 2026,” said Mike Smith, President, FAA Managers Association (FAAMA). “Representing over 1,500 managers and supervisors across the FAA, we serve as stewards of our nation's air traffic safety. In this role, FAAMA recognizes the key impacts that timely and accurate weather information has on aviation safety. With staffing levels for Center Weather Service Units at FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers across the country at concerningly low levels, we urge the FAA, National Weather Service and Congress to take an active role in seeking to remedy this situation. We specifically applaud Reps. Gillen and Begich for their leadership on this issue and encourage the Committee to take up this key legislation as soon as possible."

"The National Weather Service Employees Organization (NWSEO) wholeheartedly supports Congresswoman Laura Gillen's Aviation Weather Safety Improvement Act,” said JoAnn Becker, National President, National Weather Service Employees Organization. “Her bill will ensure that the Center Weather Service Unit (CWSU) offices are adequately staffed with expert aviation meteorologists from the National Weather Service. CWSU meteorologists advise air traffic controllers about severe weather conditions that could impact the safety of flights with Americans and international visitors."  

This bill is endorsed by the FAA Managers Association and the National Weather Service Employees Organization.

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