Opinion

When airline pilots say there are safety issues, we need policymakers to listen and act

Pilots say we need the best of both the House and Senate bills to promote airline safety

By Capt. Jason Ambrosi Fox News

Published May 30, 2026 8:00am EDT

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This summer, millions of Americans will head to the airport, ready for long-awaited vacations, family visits and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. They will pack their bags, shuffle through airport security lines and make their way through crowded terminals. On board, they’ll buckle their seat belts, hear the safety briefing and settle in for the flight ahead. Throughout it all, they will trust that every layer of the aviation system is working as it should.

That trust is well-placed. The U.S. aviation system remains the safest in the world because it is built upon layers of protection: highly skilled pilots, rigorous training, strong standards and coordination that helps crews identify risks before they become emergencies. Today, those layers are under growing pressure. More traffic, more complexity and aging infrastructure. Recently identified gaps in safety technology are also narrowing the margin for error.

Most passengers never see the full spectrum of the U.S. air safety system at work. As pilots, we see it every day. We have a responsibility to prioritize the safety of every flight and the authority to delay, cancel, abort or........

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