AAAE and ACI-NA Leaders Urge Lawmakers to Adopt Airport Priorities in Final FAA Bill
February 26, 2024
AAAE and ACI-NA leaders are urging lawmakers to adopt a long list of airport priorities in the final version of the FAA reauthorization bill. The move comes as House and Senate committee staff are beginning to work on resolving their differences between the two versions of the bill and as the House prepares to take up another short-term extension this week.
AAAE and ACI-NA Weigh In: With bicameral discussions starting to ramp up, AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli and ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin Burke on Friday sent a joint letter to House and Senate authorizing committee leaders that outlines airport priorities for the final bill. It voices support for proposals to raise AIP funding to $4 billion annually, provide additional funding for supplemental discretionary grants, implement PFC streamlining, fix land use policies, and reduce other regulatory burdens on airports.
The letter also hits on the need to help airports transition to fluorine free firefighting foam, improve small community air service, and enhance the FAA Contract Tower Program. It also raises objections to a Senate plan that would require TSA -- and ultimately airports -- to provide security escorts for Members of Congress, other federal officials, and their families and staff when requested.
Another Short-Term FAA Extension: The current FAA extension expires on March 8, which is less than two weeks away. Since lawmakers will be unable to resolve their differences before the upcoming deadline, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders on Friday unveiled a bill to extend aviation programs and excise taxes through May 10, 2024.
Coupled with the first two short-term extensions, the latest extension would provide the FAA with slightly more than seven months of authorized funding. That translates into more than $2 billion for AIP and another $340.3 million for supplemental discretionary grants.
Like the first two stop-gap measures, the latest bill also extends the so-called 'high-three' provision that will allow airports to receive favorable AIP entitlements in FY24. Specifically, the language will allow AIP entitlements to be based on enplanements in calendar year 2018, 2019, or 2022 – whichever is higher.
What's Next? The House is expected to pass the latest stop-gap measure on Wednesday or Thursday. That should give the Senate ample time to clear the measure before the March 8 deadline. We will be asking airports to contact their lawmakers in the weeks ahead as negotiations start to heat up. So, please stay tuned for more Airport Alerts and Action Alerts.
