May 7, 2026. Media contact: media@raa.org
Washington, D.C. — The Regional Airline Association today welcomed the bipartisan Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act, legislation that would strengthen safety at airports participating in the Federal Contract Tower Program by equipping towers with modern situational awareness technology and training.
RAA worked closely with lawmakers and industry stakeholders in the development of the legislation and has strongly supported expanding the use of Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) at airports that currently lack advanced surveillance capabilities.
“RAA applauds Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-NY) and Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) for their leadership on this important companion bipartisan legislation to S.3929,” said RAA President & CEO, Faye Malarkey Black. “Safety improvements must reach every part of the national airspace system, including the smaller communities regional airlines serve every day. This bill provides controllers at contract towers with practical tools that can significantly enhance situational awareness and strengthen safety in complex operational environments.”
The legislation would require the FAA to install APRTs at contract towers without advanced situational awareness systems, establish controller training requirements, authorize funding for the technology, and reimburse airports that have already invested in APRT systems.
Regional airlines provide the only scheduled air service to roughly two-thirds of the nation’s airports, many of which operate in mixed-use environments with commercial, general aviation, military, and emergency response traffic. RAA also thanks Senator Tim Sheehy and Senator Jeff Merkley for their leadership on companion Senate legislation and their continued commitment to improving aviation safety nationwide.
The Regional Airline Association (RAA) provides a unified voice of advocacy for North American regional airlines aimed at promoting a safe, reliable, and strong regional airline industry. RAA serves as an important support network connecting regional airlines and industry business partners. Regional airlines operate 32% of U.S. scheduled passenger flights and provide the only source of scheduled air service to 64% of the nation’s airports. Regional airlines provide more than 70% of the air service in West Virginia (92%), Alaska (85%), North Dakota (80%), Kansas (75%), Arkansas (75%), Alabama (75%), and Vermont (74%). Regional airlines provide more than half of the air service in Mississippi (68%), South Dakota (68%), Maine (67%), Idaho (67%), Wyoming (66%), New Hampshire (63%), Montana (63%), Wisconsin (53%), Iowa (53%), Virginia (52%), Kentucky (51%), and Indiana (51%).