The head of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has pledged that safety measures implemented after a catastrophic mid-air collision over Washington D.C. will not be reversed, honouring the memory of the 67 lives lost.
Bedford's Solemn Pledge to Congress
Speaking before the House aviation subcommittee on Tuesday 16 December 2025, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated he would not allow airspace operations over the nation's capital to revert to pre-crash conditions. The tragedy in January saw an airliner collide with an Army helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities.
"It’s tragic that the focus we have today—the galvanised effort to modernise—was paid for with the lives of 67 Americans," Bedford said. "That sacrifice can’t go to waste. We have to deliver for them and for the rest of the American people."
He addressed concerns about provisions in a major defence bill, criticised by safety experts for potentially increasing flying risks. Bedford insisted vigilance remains high, stating, "There's no rolling back of the safety procedures we put in place since that horrific evening. Our vigilance isn't waning."
Defence Bill Sparks Bipartisan Safety Push
Post-collision, the FAA mandated all aircraft use ADS-B tracking systems and altered protocols to separate helicopter and plane airspace, ending reliance on pilots for visual separation. Critics fear the defence bill could let military helicopters resume flights in crowded Washington airspace without broadcasting locations.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) are urgently seeking to amend the bill. If unsuccessful, they will push a separate bill requiring all aircraft to broadcast locations. Congressional leaders, however, are reluctant to delay the defence bill's passage.
Scrutiny Over £31bn Modernisation Contractor
Bedford updated the committee on a $12.5 billion air traffic control system overhaul, with over $6 billion committed by year's end. The FAA has replaced more than a third of outdated copper wiring with modern fibre optics.
However, the choice of Peraton—a national security contractor with limited FAA experience—to oversee the $31 billion-plus modernisation project drew sharp criticism. Representative Hank Johnson Jr. (D-Ga.) questioned if it was a "pay-to-play situation," noting Peraton is owned by private equity firm Veritas Capital.
Bedford defended the selection, citing Peraton's expertise in helping the Defence Department and NASA transition systems from analog to digital and to the cloud. He stated the process was transparent and diligent, with no White House interference.
FAA Defends Flight Cuts During Shutdown
In a letter to lawmakers, Bedford also justified the FAA's decision to order airlines to cut thousands of flights during a recent government shutdown. This was due to concerns over air controller staffing and a noted increase in near misses and runway incursions, though specific data was not provided.
"I am confident that decreasing operations during an uncertain and stressful time was the right decision on behalf of the flying public," Bedford concluded, echoing earlier reasoning from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
