Press Release
AAAE Urges Immediate Action On Multi-year FAA Reauthorization Legislation
For Immediate Release
September 9, 2009
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- With Congress returning from its summer break today and critical FAA programs set to expire at the end of September, American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) President Chip Barclay urged congressional leaders to act immediately to approve a multi-year FAA reauthorization bill that raises the federal cap on local Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), increases Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding and rejects a controversial Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting proposal that could have a severe impact on airports of all sizes and jeopardize commercial air service to small communities.
“With the clock quickly winding down on yet another short-term extension, it’s high time that Congress finally puts in place a long-term approach to financing FAA and aviation priorities, including airport development,” Barclay said. “By approving a multi-year FAA reauthorization bill that includes a long-overdue adjustment to local passenger facility charges and an increase in federal AIP funding, Congress can expedite critical airport projects that enhance safety, security, and capacity while creating thousands of construction jobs across the country.”
In a letter to key congressional leaders (.PDF), Barclay noted that every month that goes by without an increase in local passenger facility charges – which have been ravaged by construction cost inflation since they were last adjusted in 2000 – airports forego millions of dollars that could be used to improve aviation safety and security and create jobs around the country. He added that every year that goes by without the higher funding levels proposed for AIP in the House and Senate versions of the FAA bill has similar consequences.
In addition for arguing for an increase in the PFC cap to $7.50 with indexing to account for construction cost inflation and an additional $100 million annually in federal AIP funding, Barclay urged Congress to increase funding for small community programs and to reject a controversial proposal that could force airports to comply with excessive National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards that would not improve safety.
Barclay pointed to a recently released independent report that found it would cost airports almost $4 billion in the first year to comply with NFPA standards. If enacted into law, this unnecessary proposal could dramatically increase staffing, training, infrastructure and equipment requirements for airports of all sizes and jeopardize commercial air service to small communities.
A copy of Barclay’s letter is available here (.PDF): http://bit.ly/uT1Gq.
The House of Representatives passed its version of FAA reauthorization legislation (H.R. 915) in May, and the Senate Commerce Committee approved its version of the FAA bill (S. 1451) two months later. Airports are urging the Senate to take the next step and pass an FAA reauthorization bill so that lawmakers in both chambers can iron out their differences and send a multi-year bill to the President’s desk prior to the expiration of current programs and taxes on September 30, 2009.
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ABOUT AAAE: Founded in 1928, AAAE (www.aaae.org) is the world’s largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE’s 5,000-plus members represent some 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C., and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program.
CONTACT:
Sean Broderick
American Association of Airport Executives
sean.broderick@aaae.org
Office: (703) 824-0500, Ext. 126
Mobile: (703) 919-6873
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