The Latest From Washington
Airport Affairs
Hearing Report: Lawmakers Examine Air Traffic Control Modernization Needs
Lawmakers, aviation stakeholders, and other witnesses yesterday discussed the need to update our “antiquated” air traffic control system during a hearing before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation.
12/13/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker to Depart Agency on Inauguration Day
This morning, Michael Whitaker, who has been serving as Administrator of the FAA since October 2023, informed his staff that he will depart the agency and resign on Inauguration Day, which is January 20, 2025.
12/12/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Announces Deadlines for Use of FY25 AIP Entitlement Funds
Today, the FAA announced the deadlines for submitting a notice of intent (NOI) and final grant application for the use of primary, cargo, and nonprimary entitlement funds that are available under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for fiscal year 2025 (FY25).
12/11/2024
Airport Affairs
Hearing Report: House Aviation Subcommittee Hearing on FAA Implementation
Today, the House Aviation Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, “FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024: Stakeholder Perspectives on Implementation”.
12/11/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: EPA Releases Proposed 2026 Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges
Yesterday, the EPA released the agency’s proposed multi-sector general permit (MSGP), which would, if finalized, outline the terms and conditions for authorizing certain airports to discharge industrial stormwater.
12/11/2024
Airport Affairs
Hearing Report: House Committee Holds Hearing on Safeguarding the Homeland from Unmanned Aerial Systems
On December 10, House Homeland Security Subcommittees on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence and Transportation and Maritime Security held a joint hearing to examine the scope of threats posed to the homeland security by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones.
12/10/2024
Airport Affairs
Hearing Report: Senate Subcommittee on Investigations Hearing on Airline Fees
The Senate Homeland Security Committee Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing entitled, “The Sky’s the Limit – New Revelations About Airline Fees.” Representatives from American, Delta, Frontier, Spirit, and United testified.
12/04/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Solicits Nominations for Appointment to the Women in Aviation Advisory Committee
The FAA issued a notice to solicit nominations for membership on the new Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation (BCWA) Advisory Committee.
11/21/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases FY25 Allocations for Airport Infrastructure Grant Program
The FAA released $2.89 billion in fiscal year 2025 (FY25) allocations for the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Program.
11/19/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: President-Elect Trump to Nominate Sean Duffy as DOT Secretary
President-elect Donald Trump announced that he intends to nominate Sean Duffy to become Secretary of the DOT.
11/18/2024
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Democrats on the Appropriations Committee Release FY25 Funding Recommendations for DHS
Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee released their proposed funding recommendations for DHS for fiscal year 2025 (FY25).
11/14/2024
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: President-Elect Trump to Nominate Kristi Noem as Secretary of DHS
President-elect Donald Trump intends to nominate South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as his next secretary of DHS.
11/12/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: President-Elect Trump to Nominate Lee Zeldin as EPA Administrator
President-elect Donald Trump announced that he intends to nominate Lee Zeldin to become Administrator of the EPA.
11/11/2024
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: AAAE Outlines Airport Funding Priorities for FAA, TSA, and CBP as Congress Prepares to Return for Lame-Duck
Congress is scheduled to return for a lame-duck session next Tuesday, November 12, and may attempt to close out the fiscal year 2025 appropriations process before the current continuing resolution expires on December 20.
11/07/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: DOT Announces FY23 Small Community Air Service Development Program Grants
The DOT announced $11.99 million in discretionary grant awards under the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) to help 14 communities address air service and airfare issues in their communities.
10/31/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases List of $970 Million in FY25 Airport Terminal Program Grants
The FAA released a list of airport projects that will receive a share of $970 million in fiscal year 2025 (FY25) discretionary grants under the Airport Terminal Program (ATP), which was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
10/24/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA to Host Virtual Workshop on Compliance with Federal Grant Obligations
The FAA Office of Airports has announced that it will hold a virtual workshop on Thursday, November 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, to assist airport sponsors in meeting or maintaining compliance with their federal grant obligations.
10/21/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: DOT Tentatively Grants DCA Slot Exemptions for New Nonstop Roundtrip Service
This afternoon, the DOT tentatively granted ten slot exemptions at DCA to five eligible air carriers to operate five new nonstop roundtrip flights from DCA, as required by Congress through the FAA Reauthorization Act that passed in May.
10/16/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Initial Guidance on Airport Layout Plan Reviews and Approvals
The FAA released initial guidance that outlines how the agency will (a) determine whether it has the authority to review and approve an airport layout plan (ALP) on a proposed project and (b) process a notice of intent (NOI) from an airport sponsor that believes the project falls outside of FAA’s ALP approval authority.
10/05/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Updated Bipartisan Infrastructure Law FAQ Guidance; Schedules BIL-Focused Webinar for Airports
The FAA released an updated frequently asked questions (FAQ) document that provides information for airport sponsors on the $20 billion that FAA has been administering over five years for airport infrastructure improvements under the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA.)
10/04/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) for FY25
The FAA released its report to Congress on the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) for fiscal years (FY) 2025 to 2029.
09/30/2024
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Congress Moving to Extend Federal Funding Through December 20
By a vote of 341 to 82, the House of Representatives has just approved a continuing resolution (CR) that extends federal funding through December 20.
09/25/2024
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Draft Updated Vertiport Design Standards - Register for Virtual Industry Day
The FAA Office of Airports released draft Engineering Brief (EB) 105A, Vertiport Design, which focuses on the design standards for vertiports and the facilities where vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft operate.
09/20/2024
Airport Affairs
Hearing Report: SEA’s Lance Lyttle Testifies on Aviation Cybersecurity Before Key Senate Committee
Lance Lyttle, Aviation Managing Director for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding aviation cybersecurity threats.
09/18/2024
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: House T&I Committee Advances Counter-UAS Legislation
The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee held a markup and favorably advanced by voice vote H.R. 8610, the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act.
09/18/2024
