Airlines say permanent daylight saving time won't be simple
Adjusting to permanent daylight saving time would cause significant disruptions to schedules and operations, an airline trade group said.
With a bill to make daylight saving time permanent moving through Congress, airlines are warning that permanently changing the nation's clocks could take years to implement and require costly operational changes.
Daylight saving time is one step closer to becoming the year-round standard after the House voted in favor of a bill that would keep clocks permanently shifted ahead. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it must pass before it would land on President Trump's desk for his signature. Its future remains up in the air.
Advocates for the bill say making DST permanent would reduce energy use because the sun would set later in the winter, while detractors say it could create more cold, dark mornings and lead to negative health outcomes.
The aviation industry says permanent DST would be very disruptive to the sector, requiring up to 24 months to adjust airlines' scheduling systems. The change would impact everything from "crew and aircraft positioning" to "domestic and international connectivity issues," according to Airlines for America, or A4A, the trade association representing leading carriers.
"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," the group said.
Other businesses that depend on consistent scheduling, such as trucking and railroad companies, would also require time to adjust, experts say.