Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has reassured Americans that air travel remains safe following a tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., which resulted in the loss of over 60 lives, as well as another incident in Philadelphia that claimed the lives of 7 individuals.
During an appearance on “The Ingraham Angle,” Duffy, who previously co-hosted on Fox Business, emphasized that flying is the safest mode of transportation available in the country. He stated that if the airspace were not secure, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would take necessary steps to shut it down. “Air travel is very safe, and you can feel confident flying on American airlines,” he noted. Duffy stressed the importance of safety measures and demanded accountability to prevent future accidents, calling any incidents of this nature “unacceptable.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the details surrounding the recent collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet near Reagan National Airport. Duffy mentioned that safety would take precedence over other initiatives, including environmental and social priorities.
Former President Donald Trump has raised questions about the potential influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices on the circumstances leading to the crash, though no concrete evidence has surfaced at this time. Investigators continue to gather information to provide clarity to the families affected by these tragedies.
Duffy pointed out that the FAA is currently facing staffing shortages, particularly since many air traffic controllers left their positions during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this, Duffy indicated that plans are in motion to quickly increase the number of air traffic controllers, aiming for the most skilled individuals to be placed in critical roles.
He also advocated for long-overdue upgrades to the country’s air traffic control system, suggesting that this is a bipartisan issue that many can rally behind. “Everyone is on board to make this happen, both Democrats and Republicans,” Duffy affirmed. “Now is the time to fix the system to ensure it is safer and more efficient for everyone.”
