Shutdown Spotlights Advocacy Need as NATA Turns 85

The National Air Transportation Association president and CEO Curt Castagna opened the association's Aviation Business Conference last week in Dallas celebrating the organization’s 85th anniversary and highlighting that its advocacy is as urgent as ever, particularly against the backdrop of the government closure and associated restrictions. Castagna also called on members to remain actively engaged, particularly in light of the recent events.

Noting 2025 marks NATA's 85th anniversary, Castagna said the milestone “speaks to the strength, the resilience, and purpose of the association.” NATA was founded in 1940 to represent the interests of general aviation businesses and companies “at a time when private aviation and flying faced significant challenges during World War II,” he stated. “NATA has spent more than eight decades advocating for access, safety, and the vitality of aviation businesses.”

Pointing to the “rich and enduring” history of the association, Castagna added that NATA was “shaped by generations who believed in the power of general aviation to connect communities, support commerce, and strengthen our nation, and I think this message resonates really true to me specifically…as we faced government shutdowns and the impact of multiple airports across the system.”

He noted the extraordinary circumstances our industry has navigated over the past several weeks, marked by the government shutdown, the FAA's emergency orders, and restrictions affecting general aviation operations and businesses at busy airports.

NATA welcomed the end of the shutdown and the much-needed relief from temporary funding, he remarked. “The shutdown placed real strain on our aviation system, and it placed real strain on the FAA and TSA professionals who serve it.”

However, the shutdown reinforced that general aviation places minimal strain on major airports and the ATC system—even under pressure, Castagna contended.

“As agencies work to fully resume normal operations, NATA’s focus now turns to ensuring that the lessons learned from this period strengthen the system's resiliency, support predictability and funding, and safeguard the continuity of critical aviation services,” he said. “We are advocating for congressional action to prevent future disruptions before the next fiscal cliff in January. And we cannot do that without you.”

He encouraged members to engage and share experiences, data, and insights to support advocacy to protect the industry.

“All of this reinforces a simple truth: a healthy aviation ecosystem requires balance, safety with access and stability, and with flexibility and collaboration among all who rely on the system to keep aviation and our nation moving,” he said.