AMFA Applauds the Inclusion of Greater Oversight and Accountability for Foreign Repair Station Employees in Senate FAA Reauthorization

Louie Key, national director of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, releases the following statement:

“On behalf of the over 3,000 Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines aircraft maintenance technicians, AMFA applauds Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Bill Nelson, for the inclusion of greater oversight and accountability of foreign repair station employees in the FAA Reauthorization Bill.

“Safety is the cornerstone of the pact between the aircraft maintenance technician and the American flying public. Recognizing there is a safety gap with our foreign counterparts, AMFA leadership actively pursued policies in the FAA authorization to institute a mandatory drug and alcohol testing policy and establish a pre-employment background investigation requirement of foreign repair station employees.

“The safety and security standards on the domestic technician that help to ensure the public safety and reliability of aircraft maintenance should be uniform no matter where the repair station is located. To that end, AMFA recognizes the work of the Committee and supports the Senate FAA Reauthorization Bill, more specifically the Alcohol and Controlled Substances Testing and Background Investigations provisions found in Section 2502 of TITLE II—SAFETY.

“In addition to the leadership of Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson, AMFA would like to thank Aviation Subcommittee Chair Kelly Ayotte, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, and Senator Claire McCaskill. Their support and persistence throughout this process helps ensure the safety of the American flying public.”

Legislative language is available here.