Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, now serving as president and CEO of Airlines for America, was among those scheduled to testify before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Tuesday morning. The hearing focused on air safety concerns that have drawn increased attention following a series of close calls and aviation accidents in recent months.
The committee panel examined issues including antiquated technology systems within the nation's airspace infrastructure and staffing shortages affecting air traffic control operations across multiple facilities. Witnesses included Sununu alongside Air Line Pilots Association President Jason Ambrosi and other industry experts. The hearing began at 10 a.m. EDT, according to scheduling information from the committee.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic members of the committee have pointed to recent safety incidents as evidence that federal investment in aviation infrastructure has lagged behind the growth in air travel demand. Senate Democrats including Committee Chair Maria Cantwell of Washington have called for increased funding to modernize air traffic control systems, many of which rely on radar technology developed decades ago.
Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, a former Army helicopter pilot who has championed aviation safety legislation, has argued that chronic understaffing at FAA facilities creates unsafe conditions. Duckworth has pointed to staffing data showing that multiple regional air traffic control towers have operated below recommended personnel levels for years.
Progressive advocacy groups including the National Consumers League have supported stronger regulations on airline operations, citing passenger safety as a paramount concern. These groups have backed proposals requiring airlines to meet stricter maintenance standards and maintain adequate crew rest requirements.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican committee members have emphasized the strong overall safety record of U.S. commercial aviation while questioning whether new regulations would address the core issues raised by witnesses. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has indicated skepticism about legislative solutions that could increase costs for airlines and ultimately ticket prices for consumers.
Conservatives have highlighted the airline industry's voluntary safety improvement programs as evidence that market incentives can drive safety advances without heavy-handed government intervention. Industry groups note that commercial aviation fatalities have declined significantly over the past two decades despite increasing passenger volumes.
Some Republican lawmakers have expressed concern that unfunded mandates from Congress could strain smaller regional carriers facing pilot shortages. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas has advocated for workforce development programs to address air traffic controller staffing gaps rather than new regulatory requirements.
What the Numbers Show
The United States recorded 23 near-midair collisions reported between commercial aircraft in fiscal year 2025, according to FAA data cited during preliminary committee discussions. That figure represents an increase from 19 incidents reported in fiscal year 2024 and 15 in fiscal year 2023.
Air traffic control facilities nationwide are operating with approximately 3,200 fewer controllers than the staffing target set by the FAA, based on agency workforce reports reviewed by committee staff. The controller workforce stands at roughly 14,600 active personnel, down from a peak of more than 16,000 in the early 1990s.
Commercial airline passengers exceeded 1 billion for the third consecutive year in 2025, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data. Fatality rates have remained below 0.1 per million flights over that period, representing continued improvement from historical averages.
The Bottom Line
The Tuesday hearing underscored bipartisan recognition that America's aviation system faces real challenges as passenger volumes continue climbing while infrastructure and workforce investments lag. Sununu's testimony represented an unusual alliance between a former Republican governor now leading the airline industry's primary trade association and Democratic lawmakers focused on regulatory oversight.
What comes next will likely involve committee recommendations for FAA reauthorization discussions scheduled later this year. Both sides appear to agree that air traffic controller staffing levels must improve, though Republicans have signaled resistance to mandates they view as economically burdensome. The challenge remains finding funding mechanisms for technology upgrades that both parties can support.