As the United States prepares for a historic summer—anchored by the FIFA World Cup and the America250 celebrations—the aviation industry stands at a critical crossroad. As demand is projected to hit record highs and amid increased reliance for air cargo shipments, U.S. airlines are navigating geopolitical instability, fluctuating fuel costs and frequent government shutdowns.
While Congress has invested a critical $12B downpayment in overhauling the U.S. air traffic control system, and meaningful progress is being made already, the next phase of these critical upgrades remains in the hands of lawmakers.
Join The Hill and Airlines for America for this breakfast policy briefing as we bring together industry leaders, lawmakers and stakeholders to discuss how the aviation sector is evolving to meet this moment. We’ll dive deep into the industry’s modernization efforts, the integration of emerging technologies and the strategic outlook for what is expected to be the busiest air travel season in American history.
Modern Skies: Replacing Antiquated Technology, Infrastructure Upgrades & Safety Standards
Thomas Culligan, VP of Aerospace Safety, Commercial Aviation & Corporate Policy, Boeing, Todd Hauptli, President & CEO, American Association of Airport Executives and Sharon Pinkerton, SVP of Legislative & Regulatory Policy, Airlines for America in conversation with Sarah Fortinsky, National Politics Reporter, The Hill
Red, Flight & Blue: Celebrating America 250
Eric Eversole, President of Hiring Our Heroes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation,
Grant Morris, VP of Flight Operations, Southwest Airlines and Gary Tomasulo, VP of Corporate Security & Chief Security Officer, American Airlines in conversation with Rema Rahman, White House Editor, The Hill
Airlines for America (A4A) is the trade association for the leading U.S. airlines, both passenger and cargo carriers, prioritizing safety and security during this time of record passenger volumes and increased reliance on air cargo shipments. Every day, U.S. airlines operate 28,000 flights carrying 2.7 million travelers and 61,000 tons of cargo while supporting 10 million U.S. jobs and 5 percent of GDP.
