NJASAP Applauds Passage of H.R. 7148, Praises Congress for Strengthening Aviation Safety, Stability & the National Airspace System

Rhea-AI Summary

NJASAP praised Congress' passage of H.R. 7148 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, saying it strengthens aviation safety and National Airspace System (NAS) stability. The bill funds FAA operations with $13.71 billion, supports hiring ~2,500 air traffic controllers and 54 safety inspectors, provides $4 billion for the Airport Improvement Program for infrastructure modernization, and directs roughly $100 million to the Office of Aerospace Medicine to reduce medical certification backlogs. NJASAP also highlighted the bill's prohibition on privatizing U.S. air traffic control and urged continued long-term aviation funding to avoid readiness risks from future shutdowns.

Positive

• FAA operations funded at $13.71 billion
• Authorization to hire ~2,500 new air traffic controllers
• Funding for 54 aviation safety inspectors
• $4 billion allocated to Airport Improvement Program
• Approximately $100 million for Office of Aerospace Medicine

Negative

• Persisting staffing shortages previously threatened NAS safety margins
• Aging radar and telecom infrastructure requires replacement
• Medical certification backlogs remain a material operational issue

Key Figures

FAA operations funding: $13.71 billion New air traffic controllers: 2,500 Aviation safety inspectors: 54 +5 more

8 metrics

FAA operations funding $13.71 billion Allocated to FAA operations in H.R. 7148

New air traffic controllers 2,500 Planned ATC hires under H.R. 7148

Aviation safety inspectors 54 Additional inspectors funded in H.R. 7148

Airport Improvement Program $4 billion Allocated to improve aviation facilities and equipment

Aeromedical systems funding $100 million Routed to the Office of Aerospace Medicine

NetJets pilots 3,700-plus Pilots flying for NetJets Aviation, Inc.

CEO cash salary $25 million Annual cash salary for Greg Abel effective Jan 1, 2026

Yen notes offering ¥210,100,000,000 Aggregate principal of senior unsecured yen notes

Market Reality Check

normal vol

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights increased U.S. commitments to aviation safety and infrastructure that a...

Analysis

This announcement highlights increased U.S. commitments to aviation safety and infrastructure that affect the operating environment of Berkshire’s NetJets unit. H.R. 7148 directs $13.71 billion to FAA operations, $4 billion to the Airport Improvement Program, and about $100 million to aeromedical systems, while funding roughly 2,500 new controllers and additional inspectors. These measures address staffing and modernization in the National Airspace System, representing ecosystem support rather than a direct change to Berkshire’s capital structure or earnings.

Key Terms

federal aviation administration, faa, national airspace system, air traffic control, +3 more

7 terms

federal aviation administration regulatory

"stabilizing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations and reinforcing"

A U.S. government agency that sets and enforces safety, certification, and operating rules for civil aviation, including aircraft, pilots, airlines, airports, and air traffic control. Think of it as the traffic cop and building inspector for the skies: its approvals, inspections, and regulations can change how quickly new planes or technologies reach the market, alter operating costs, or trigger safety-related grounding or fines, all of which can affect the revenues and stock prices of aviation-related companies.

faa regulatory

"stabilizing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations and reinforcing"

The FAA is the U.S. government agency that oversees civil aviation, including aircraft safety, pilot licensing, air traffic control and rules for new technologies like drones. For investors, FAA actions are like a referee’s calls in a game: their approvals, fines or rule changes can directly affect an airline’s operations, a manufacturer’s ability to sell aircraft, or a technology company’s market access and costs, which in turn can change revenue and risk profiles.

national airspace system technical

"integrity of the National Airspace System (NAS) as part of"

The national airspace system is the combined network of airports, air traffic control services, flight routes, navigation aids, and rules that govern how aircraft move across a country — like a nation’s road network and traffic lights but for planes. Investors care because its capacity, safety standards, modernization, and regulatory changes directly affect airlines, cargo operators, airport revenues and supply chains, influencing travel demand, operating costs and profitability.

air traffic control technical

"funding to hire roughly 2,500 new air traffic controllers (ATC)"

A system of people, procedures and technology that coordinates the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the sky to keep flights safe and on schedule. Think of it as a road traffic controller for the skies: it manages who goes where and when to avoid collisions and reduce delays. Investors care because air traffic control affects airline on-time performance, capacity, operating costs and infrastructure spending, which in turn influence revenue, expenses and industry growth.

air traffic organization technical

"supports critical functions of the Air Traffic Organization and aviation"

An air traffic organization is the government or private body that plans, manages and operates the systems which guide aircraft safely through airports and across skies, including controllers, radar, communication and traffic flow systems. Investors care because this organization shapes airline capacity, on‑time performance, safety rules and infrastructure spending—factors that affect airline revenues, operating costs, ticket prices and the broader travel economy, much like a city’s traffic control affects commute times and business activity.

senior notes financial

"aggregate principal amount of 1.510% Senior Notes due 2028"

Senior notes are a type of loan that a company borrows from investors, promising to pay it back with interest. They are called "senior" because in case the company faces financial trouble, these lenders are paid back before others. This makes senior notes safer for investors compared to other types of loans or bonds.

form 8-k regulatory

"filed a Form 8-K to furnish its earnings press release"

A Form 8-K is a report that companies file with the government to share important news quickly, such as changes in leadership, major business deals, or financial updates. It matters because it helps investors stay informed about significant events that could affect the company's value or stock price.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) applauds Congress for advancing essential investments in aviation safety, stabilizing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations and reinforcing the integrity of the National Airspace System (NAS) as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, H.R. 7148.

The act includes several provisions of note to the 3,700-plus pilots who fly in the service of NetJets Aviation, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) subsidiary:

• The passage of H.R. 7148 supports critical functions of the Air Traffic Organization and aviation safety with $13.71 billion allotted to FAA operations.
  
  
• The act provides funding to hire roughly 2,500 new air traffic controllers (ATC) and 54 aviation safety inspectors to address the persistent staffing shortages threatening safety margins and NAS performance.
  
  
• H.R. 7148 allocates $4 billion to the Airport Improvement Program to improve facilities and equipment, enabling the replacement of aging radar and telecom infrastructure, upgrades to navigation and surveillance systems and the modernization of facilities.
  
  
• In addition to facilities, the act funds the modernization of FAA aeromedical technology systems to reduce medical certification backlogs with approximately $100 million routed to the Office of Aerospace Medicine.

On behalf of the NJASAP Membership, NJASAP President Capt. Pedro Leroux praised lawmakers for delivering the long-term funding stability needed to sustain the world's most complex airspace system:

"Congress has taken a decisive step to protect the safety and continuity of the National Airspace System by passing a full-year appropriation that prioritizes modernization, staffing and FAA readiness. As professional aviators who rely on these systems every day, we commend lawmakers for recognizing that airspace safety and stability are not optional, but are fundamental to the U.S. aviation industry and to public safety."

Another critical provision that NJASAP strongly supports is the bill's explicit prohibition on privatizing U.S. air traffic control services, ensuring that America's airspace remains a public asset governed by safety‑centric decision-making.

"We thank Congress for safeguarding the public interest by investing in Air Traffic Control and for keeping it under federal oversight," Leroux continued. "The NAS is a complex, interdependent system that must remain accountable to the American people; H.R. 7148 protects that principle."

NJASAP urges federal leaders to continue prioritizing long-term aviation safety funding, ensuring future government shutdowns do not undermine the readiness of ATC, inspectors, TSA and other critical aviation personnel.

ABOUT NJASAP Founded in 2008 as an independent labor advocate, the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) represents the professional interests of the 3,700-plus pilots who fly in the service of NetJets Aviation, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) subsidiary. For more information, please visit our website, www.njasap.com, or find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/njasap, Instagram, www.instagram.com/njasap, and X, @njasap.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/njasap-applauds-passage-of-hr-7148-praises-congress-for-strengthening-aviation-safety-stability--the-national-airspace-system-302681605.html

SOURCE NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP)

FAQ

What does H.R. 7148 mean for NetJets pilots (BRK) on Feb 6, 2026?

It secures operational funding and staffing aimed at improving safety and NAS stability. According to NJASAP, H.R. 7148 funds FAA operations with $13.71 billion and supports hiring controllers and inspectors to reduce safety risks affecting NetJets pilots.

How many air traffic controllers will H.R. 7148 hire and why does that matter for BRK pilots?

The bill funds hiring roughly 2,500 new air traffic controllers to ease staffing shortfalls. According to NJASAP, more controllers should improve NAS performance and reduce delays and safety pressures that directly affect pilots who fly for NetJets.

What is the Airport Improvement Program funding in H.R. 7148 and its impact on aviation infrastructure?

H.R. 7148 allocates $4 billion to the Airport Improvement Program for facility and equipment upgrades. According to NJASAP, this funding targets aging radar, telecom, navigation and surveillance systems to modernize critical NAS infrastructure.

Does H.R. 7148 include measures on FAA medical certification backlogs affecting pilots at BRK?

Yes. The act routes about $100 million to the Office of Aerospace Medicine to address backlogs. According to NJASAP, this funding aims to speed medical certifications and reduce administrative delays affecting pilot readiness.

What stance did NJASAP take on privatizing air traffic control in H.R. 7148?

NJASAP strongly supported the bill's explicit prohibition on ATC privatization to keep services under federal oversight. According to NJASAP, preserving public governance maintains safety-centric accountability of the National Airspace System.

How should BRK investors view H.R. 7148's passage in terms of operational risk?

The bill reduces near-term operational risks by funding staffing and modernization that sustain NAS reliability. According to NJASAP, long-term appropriation stability lowers the chance that shutdowns will undermine ATC, inspectors, TSA and other critical aviation readiness.