Airport Alert: House Approves Early Incentive Bill
June 15, 2021
The House of Representatives today approved a bill by voice vote that would allow airports to use Airport Improvement Program funds for early incentive payments — a proposal long backed by AAAE and ACI-NA.
H.R. 468, the Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act of 2021, would permit airports to use up to $1 million in AIP funds to incentivize a contractor to complete an AIP-funded project early. The bill was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Garret Graves (R-LA).
During the quick floor debate today, full committee Ranking Member Sam Graves said the bill would provide airports with some "common sense tools to incentivize the early completion of airport projects." He also pointed out the benefits of early incentive payments are well-known in the surface transportation sector.
Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Garret Graves also spoke out in favor of giving airports the option to use early incentive payments. He commented on how the bill would help airports build critical infrastructure projects as the recovery takes hold and as passenger levels continue to climb.
"The aviation demand is coming back with a vengeance. Our airports are crowed, our airlines are packed, airplanes are packed," Garret Graves said. "This is for safety. This is for additional capacity. This is going to ensure that our airport infrastructure can keep up with increased demand."
AAAE and ACI-NA have voiced their support for the early incentive payments and began pushing for the change during consideration of the last FAA reauthorization bill. We continue to point out that this option could help airports and especially those in northern tier states with short construction cycles.
The House of Representatives today approved a bill by voice vote that would allow airports to use Airport Improvement Program funds for early incentive payments — a proposal long backed by AAAE and ACI-NA.
H.R. 468, the Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act of 2021, would permit airports to use up to $1 million in AIP funds to incentivize a contractor to complete an AIP-funded project early. The bill was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Garret Graves (R-LA).
During the quick floor debate today, full committee Ranking Member Sam Graves said the bill would provide airports with some "common sense tools to incentivize the early completion of airport projects." He also pointed out the benefits of early incentive payments are well-known in the surface transportation sector.
Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Garret Graves also spoke out in favor of giving airports the option to use early incentive payments. He commented on how the bill would help airports build critical infrastructure projects as the recovery takes hold and as passenger levels continue to climb.
"The aviation demand is coming back with a vengeance. Our airports are crowed, our airlines are packed, airplanes are packed," Garret Graves said. "This is for safety. This is for additional capacity. This is going to ensure that our airport infrastructure can keep up with increased demand."
AAAE and ACI-NA have voiced their support for the early incentive payments and began pushing for the change during consideration of the last FAA reauthorization bill. We continue to point out that this option could help airports and especially those in northern tier states with short construction cycles.
