Airline group opposes year-round daylight saving time. Why?

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(NEXSTAR) – Airlines for America is against a permanent switch to daylight saving time — unless its rollout is delayed by up to two years.

The industry trade group, whose member airlines include American, Delta, Southwest and United, said this week that any change to the country’s DST observances would have “considerable implications” that the country’s biggest airlines would need time to navigate and reconcile. In a statement provided to Nexstar, a spokesperson for Airlines for America added that such adjustments would take “a minimum of 18-24 months” to implement.

Airlines for America first spoke out against the potential switch on Tuesday, the same day the House passed the Sunshine Protection Act. The bill, which has support from President Trump, proposes a permanent switch to year-round daylight saving time in the U.S., with the option for states to exempt themselves if they so choose. The proposal passed in the House with bipartisan support, though it still needs approval in the Senate before heading to Trump’s desk.

Proponents say the switch would give Americans more daylight hours and save on energy costs. But medical experts have warned of health consequences if the U.S. were to adopt permanent daylight saving time, and other critics have come out against the proposal for religious reasons, or for the impact it may have on schoolchildren.

Airlines for America, however, did not indicate whether the group was opposed to a nationwide switch outright, or just a swift one that didn’t allow its members time to acclimate.

On Tuesday, Airlines for America cited several alleged hurdles if the switch were to be made without a delayed timeline, such as “passenger disruption, crew and aircraft positioning, and domestic and international connectivity issues.”

In its statement to Nexstar on Friday, a spokesperson for the group added that crew schedules, reservation systems and even payroll would be affected, as well as current arrangements between foreign carriers and aviation agencies.

“Airlines operate expansive interconnected domestic and global networks that are reliant on stability and predictability. Any changes would need an implementation timeline that reflects these global complications,” Airlines for America wrote Tuesday.

Airlines for America, this week, had also co-signed a letter to lawmakers asking for $20 billion to shore up the country’s air traffic control systems and reduce “strain” on aging infrastructure. The letter, written by the Modern Skies coalition, said the money was needed to update “obsolete” equipment with modern technology and implement new safety enhancements, among other upgrades.

“Our nation’s aviation system is a key national asset, but it is under increasing strain,” reads the letter, which was also signed by groups including the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the Cargo Airline Association, reads. “Our nation cannot afford a half-effort that does not result in the state-of-the-art ATC system that is required to keep our skies safe, our economy moving and preserve American aviation leadership.

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