Addressing Close Calls to Improve Aviation Safety
In his November 2023 Senate testimony on aviation safety, Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, warned that while U.S. aviation remains the safest in the world, a recent rise in near misses highlights the need for constant vigilance. He stressed that pandemic-era disruptions created workforce and training strains, making a “back to basics” approach essential across the industry. Capt. Ambrosi emphasized the value of safety management systems, voluntary reporting, and data-driven risk analysis, while urging swift deployment of proven surface safety technologies like surveillance systems and runway status lights at more airports. He supported FAA reauthorization provisions to modernize infrastructure, expand safety programs, and strengthen the air traffic workforce. Ultimately, he called for sustained collaboration among government, industry, and labor to prevent close calls from becoming accidents and to uphold America’s global leadership in aviation safety.
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