Government Relations
Be Heard - - Your Voice Matters
Kelly Ferrigno
President
Allison Sayer
Government Relations Chair
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Monthly Updates
Hello fellow GBTA NYC members,
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The Essentials
Global Stage
EU Aviation Plan Aims to Fund the Future of Cleaner Flight What’s new: (Take the Money and Run) On 17 July, the European Commission proposed expanding the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for aviation to cover flights departing the European Economic Area to destinations within 5,000 kilometres of the European Union's (EU) geographical centre, moving beyond the current focus on intra-EEA flights. The proposal follows the Commission's conclusion that International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)'s global CORSIA scheme does not yet meet the environmental standards required under EU law. However, the EU would continue to apply CORSIA alongside the ETS where both schemes overlap, avoiding double carbon pricing, and will reassess CORSIA in 2032. If the global scheme is found to be sufficiently robust, the EU could revert to limiting the ETS to intra-EEA and certain linked flights. The proposal also reinforces the use of EU ETS revenues to accelerate aviation decarbonisation by supporting the production and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), synthetic aviation fuels (e-SAF), hydrogen, electric propulsion, and other innovative low-carbon aviation technologies.
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Washington Watch
Quiet Skies Act Introduced to Preserve the In-Flight Travel Experience
What's new: (Shut Up) GBTA welcomed the introduction of the bipartisan Quiet Skies Act, legislation sponsored by Reps. Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA). The bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to finalize regulations prohibiting in-flight voice calls within 180 days, implementing a directive Congress originally adopted in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act.
The legislation reflects a growing concern among business travelers as new satellite internet technologies dramatically expand onboard connectivity capabilities. Several international carriers have already begun permitting voice and video calls during flight, raising concerns about productivity, passenger comfort, and cabin disruption. GBTA raised the issue directly with lawmakers during its recent Legislative Summit and worked closely with congressional offices as the legislation was developed.
Why it matters:
For business travelers, air travel time is often work time. A consistent national policy limiting in-flight voice calls helps preserve an environment conducive to working, resting, and preparing for meetings while reducing passenger conflict and maintaining a professional travel experience.
GBTA Action:
GBTA is actively building bipartisan support for the Quiet Skies Act and will continue engaging Congress and stakeholders to advance the legislation. The introduction of the Quiet Skies Act is the direct result of the advocacy completed as a part of this year's GBTA Legislative Summit.
House Passes Major TSA Modernization Package
What's new: (Don’t Stop Me Now) The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan package of aviation security and passenger facilitation legislation, marking an important step toward strengthening airport security while improving the passenger experience. The package now moves to the Senate for consideration. Among the measures most relevant to business travelers are:
- SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026 — Restores the TSA's 9/11 Passenger Security Fee to its original purpose by ensuring the revenue is used exclusively to strengthen aviation security rather than being diverted to unrelated government spending.
- One Stop Pilot Program Extension Act — Extends and expands TSA's international screening reciprocity pilot, allowing eligible international passengers arriving from airports with comparable security standards to continue their journeys within the U.S. without reclaiming and rechecking their baggage.
The House approved the legislative package with broad bipartisan support, reflecting continued congressional focus on improving security, operational efficiency, and the passenger experience across the U.S. aviation system.
Why it matters:
These measures advance several long-standing priorities for GBTA and the business travel industry and lead to better passenger experiences. Together, these measures modernize airport operations, improve efficiency, and strengthen security—supporting a more seamless travel experience for business travelers while enhancing the resilience of the U.S. aviation system:
- Protecting Aviation Security Funding: The SAFEGUARDS Act ensures the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee is dedicated to TSA operations and aviation security improvements, helping provide the resources needed to keep travelers safe.
- More Efficient International Connections: The One Stop Pilot Program reduces unnecessary baggage re-screening and processing for eligible international travelers, shortening connection times and improving the arrival experience.
Canada/Mexico Compass
USMCA Faces an Uncertain Future
What's new: (Should I Stay or Should I Go) The future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA) has entered a critical phase. Rather than extending the agreement for another 16 years, the Trump administration has opted for annual reviews while pursuing changes to reduce trade deficits, tighten automotive rules of origin, and strengthen North American manufacturing. Although the agreement remains in force, negotiations with Mexico are advancing while talks with Canada have yet to gain momentum. Against this backdrop, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Hotels Canada, and Hoteles por México are calling on all three governments to agree to a long-term extension, arguing that the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup highlighted the economic benefits of seamless cross-border travel and integrated North American supply chains.
Why it matters:
Greater uncertainty around USMCA creates uncertainty for business travel. A long-term extension would provide the predictability travel managers and suppliers need to plan regional travel, support workforce mobility, strengthen supply chains, and encourage investment across North America. Until then, businesses should expect trade negotiations to remain a closely watched risk factor for cross-border operations.
