Torres Encourages FAA for More Federal Investment at Ontario International Airport, Support for Aviation Workers.

Torres Encourages FAA for More Federal Investment at Ontario International Airport, Support for Aviation Workers.

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD), encouraged Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford during a hearing to support the Ontario International Airport (ONT), provide its air traffic controllers with the pay and resources they need, and stood up for California's labor laws requiring rest and meal breaks for the hard-working pilots, flight attendants, and aviation workers that keep Americans safe. She also invited Administrator Bedford to visit ONT and see its operations first hand

Torres highlighted ONT's growth since 2016, when she helped pass federal legislation returning to local control. In the decade since, passenger numbers have nearly doubled to more than 7 million passengers and ONT now supports more than 24,000 jobs, contributes $5 billion to the regional economy,and has grown to be one of the nation's busiest cargo airports. In this past year alone, Torres has helped secure $33 million in federal funding for ONT over the past year.

"Ontario International Airport is an economic engine for the Inland Empire, and its continued growth is something we should be proud of," said Congresswoman Torres. "But as ONT grows, we need to make sure the federal resources supporting it grow too. That means investing in our infrastructure and ensuring the air traffic controllers who keep passengers safe have the staffing and resources they need."

Torres also called on the FAA to work with her to reclassify ONT's air traffic control facility, which is currently designated as a Level 5 facility, which results in less pay, worse training outcomes, and lower priority for technology upgrades. Torres noted that the current classification does not adequately reflect ONT's complex operations, which include 24 hour operations, complicated overnight traffic and cargo demands, and having to operate in Southern California's busy airspace. She also stated concerns with the fiscal year 2026 Workforce Plan that lowers the previous staffing target at ONT from 21 fully certified controllers to just 15.

"Our air traffic controllers make split-second decisions every day to keep the flying public safe," continued Torres. "Their resources and staffing should reflect the complexity and demands of the work they are doing at ONT. I will continue working with the FAA to make sure they have the support they deserve."

Lastly, the Congresswoman called on the FAA Administrator to withdraw its harmful proposal to override all state and local meal and rest break laws, including those in California. Congress explicitly did not grant FAA the authority for the proposal and multiple court rulings and Supreme Court precedent have protected California's state laws. Limiting flight crews' or flight attendants' ability to be well-rested, utilize state-based benefits like meal and rest breaks, or even state-based family or sick leave does not make our aviation system safer. It in fact does the opposite and would harm pilots and flight attendants' ability to be well-rested and alert.

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