Washington, DC, January 29, 2021. Media contact: media@raa.org
Today the Regional Airline Association joined 23 other aviation organizations in a communication to the White House COVID-19 coordinator, emphasizing the industry’s shared and steadfast desire to participate meaningfully in discussions related to contagion risk mitigation strategies and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. By engaging with aviation stakeholders, the COVID-19 response team can better ensure risk mitigation strategies remain effective in defeating the health and economic consequences of the virus. To date, the industry’s cooperative relationship with relevant Federal agencies has played an important role in developing and implementing policies that enhance the safety of flying.
RAA has long supported a federal mask mandate and has also stressed the importance of enforcing measures related to compliance with crew directives on aircraft. We were pleased to see the inclusion of a mask mandate in the Executive Order. RAA shares concerns raised by the stakeholder groups about the consequences of testing policies exerted on a lower risk mode of transportation that, rather than deterring intrastate movement, would divert more travelers to drive or travel by bus or train – modes of transportations that lack the measures in place that make air travel uniquely safe.
As science continues to inform our response to this evolving virus, we remain committed to working with our partners, the COVID-19 response team and all Federal agencies to safely maintain air travel to communities of all sizes during this period of recovery.
About RAA
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. In the United States, regional airlines operate 40% of scheduled passenger flights and provide the only source of scheduled air service to 66% of the nation’s airports. Regional airlines provide 75% or more of the air service in Alabama (76%), Alaska (88%), Arkansas (83%), Idaho (75%), Iowa (76%), Kansas (78%), Maine (77%), Mississippi (77%), Montana (78%), Nebraska (90%), North Dakota (87%), South Dakota (85%), Vermont (77%), West Virginia (92%), and Wyoming (78%). Regional airlines provide half or more of the air service in Indiana (61%), Kentucky (67%), Michigan (57%), New Hampshire (61%), New Mexico (53%), North Carolina (54%), Ohio (58%), Oklahoma (51%), Oregon (50%), Pennsylvania (53%), Rhode Island (54%), South Carolina (54%), Tennessee (47%), Virginia (58%) and Wisconsin (61%).