IATA’s Cerdá Says Safety Must Remain Number One Priority

The fatal midair collision involving an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has served as a stark reminder of aviation’s fragility despite its strong safety record, according to Peter Cerdá, regional vice president for the Americas at IATA.

Speaking at Routes Americas 2025 in Nassau and Paradise Island in the Bahamas, Cerdá said the accident underscores the need for ongoing investment in safety, workforce development and modernization of air traffic management systems.

“Aviation has long been the safest mode of transportation, but it is also fragile,” Cerdá said. “We must continue to focus, invest, research and ensure that training is in place, that we have enough personnel and that we’re constantly improving our systems.”

The Jan. 29 crash between American Eagle Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter near DCA resulted in 67 fatalities. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Cerdá stressed that while accidents of this nature remain rare, they serve as a critical reminder of the industry’s ongoing responsibility to maintain the highest safety standards. “It is a wake-up call,” he said. “Safety is the most important day-to-day activity that our industry is working on—and we have to continue that.”

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The collision has also reignited concerns about air traffic control (ATC) staffing shortages and outdated infrastructure—an issue Cerdá described as an ongoing challenge. The U.S. has faced a shortage of air traffic controllers, contributing to delays and operational inefficiencies.

“We’ve been talking about NextGen [ATC] modernization for over 15 years, and we’re no better off than we were several years ago,” Cerdá said. “Now, on top of that, we’re lacking staff, which only adds pressure to the system.”

The FAA has acknowledged ATC staffing shortages, particularly in areas like New York, and has outlined plans to recruit and train more controllers. However, Cerdá warned that without immediate and sustained investment, congestion, delays and inefficiencies will continue.

“When New York has a bad day, the entire system collapses,” he said. “We need technology and staffing solutions to ensure reliability and efficiency. Travelers expect to get from point A to point B on time, and when they don’t, it leads to frustration.”

Cerdá also linked air traffic inefficiencies to sustainability concerns, explaining that unnecessary holding patterns and delays waste fuel and increase carbon emissions.

“We have to continue to look into our systems … as the day safety ceases to be our top priority is the day our industry ends,” he added.