April 14, 2026. Media contact: media@raa.org
Washington, DC – The Regional Airline Association (RAA) recognizes the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act and its focus on improving safety across the entire National Airspace System (NAS).
RAA supports the bill’s safety objectives and the continued advancement of Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast In (ADS-B In) and other safety technologies that enhance safety.
There is currently no hardwired ADS-B In product certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for most regional jets. Developing and integrating such a system into the Airborne Collision Avoidance System for commercial aircraft (ACAS Xa), which is the next generation of the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), requires aircraft-specific prototype design, FAA certification, installation, simulator updates, and pilot training. These steps must occur in sequence to ensure safe implementation. Ensuring that implementation timelines align with certification, supply change, and integration realities will be critical to achieving the bill’s intended safety outcomes.
As the House and Senate work to reconcile their bills, RAA asks lawmakers to help ensure the implementation framework fully accounts for certification, availability, and aircraft integration realities and supports the deployment of near-term safety enhancements so meaningful improvements are not delayed while long-term solutions are developed
In addition, while the legislation advances important safety objectives, opportunities remain to address risk in mixed-use air airports of all sizes. Safety enhancements, including risk assessments, technology investments, and improved communication protocols and situational awareness tools, must be employed across the full range of operating environments, including non-towered and limited-service airports.
RAA appreciates the Committee’s leadership and looks forward to continued engagement on aviation safety.
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%).