By Kayla Coffee — President & CEO of AFA

The Aerospace Futures Alliance (AFA) serves as the unified advocate for Washington State’s aerospace industry, working to ensure that our companies, our workforce, and our innovations continue to lead. Since our founding, AFA has remained committed to helping aerospace businesses connect, grow, and navigate the evolving landscape of policy, workforce needs, technological advancement, and global competition. At its core, AFA’s mission is simple but powerful: to support and elevate Washington’s aerospace ecosystem so it remains strong for generations to come.

How can your company or business stay secure during adapting times? One of the most important steps that aerospace companies can take is building relationships with their legislators and policymakers. You cannot assume that policymakers are experts in the full array of industry knowledge, let alone the complexities within aerospace. They depend on the expertise, perspectives, and stories of those who work in the industry every day. When elected officials understand who you are, what you build, and the importance of your work, they are more knowledgeable and better equipped to champion policies that strengthen our sector.

AFA acts as the bridge between industry and government. We open doors, create dialogue, and help to ensure that aerospace voices are heard in Olympia and beyond. Our annual Advocacy Day in Olympia every January is a cornerstone of this effort, bringing Washington aerospace businesses face-to-face with their elected officials. This event is an essential step in building long-term, productive relationships, and one of the most effective ways to reinforce Washington State’s position as the global leader in aerospace.

AFA and our members are stepping into the 2026 short legislative session with our priorities pushed forward by industry needs. The reflects the needs identified directly by our membership. At the top of our workforce agenda is reinvesting $900,000 per year into Core Plus Aerospace and expanding work-based learning programs that expose K–12 students to aerospace career opportunities. This was unfortunately retracted in last year’s session and at a time when the aerospace industry needs more workforce, not less.
We also advocate for establishing a full-time aerospace sector lead to attract and retain industry in Washington and to champion aerospace, space, and sustainable aviation innovation – something that is highly important for industry stability and connection.

On infrastructure and energy capacity, AFA supports streamlining permitting processes, creating alternative compliance pathways for clean building standards, expanding reliable and affordable energy sources, and advancing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) incentives.

Workforce development remains a foundational priority. AFA advocates for strong K-12, CTE, community college, and university programs; protection of research capacity at our public universities; and expansion of seamless workforce pathways such as Core Plus and the Center of Excellence for Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing.

To maintain business competitiveness, AFA supports policies that reduce regulatory complexity, stabilize small and medium-sized manufacturers, and expand awareness of grants, credits, and funding opportunities.

Above all, AFA believes that aerospace is stronger when we work together. We invite you to join us in strengthening Washington’s aerospace future. Participate in our bi-weekly legislative calls throughout the 2026 session and reach out to kaylac@afa-wa.com to get involved.

Together, we will continue to keep Washington at the forefront of aerospace innovation.