Regulatory Alert: AAAE Seeks Feedback on Draft FAA Policy on Air Carrier Incentive Programs

AAAE is distributing a survey to members to collect feedback on the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) draft policy that would provide guidance to airports on how to determine if its Air Carrier Incentive Program (ACIP) complies with federal grant obligations, which apply to any airport that receives financial assistance through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). 

As outlined in our February 2 Regulatory Alert, FAA's proposed updates would provide airports with additional flexibility in certain areas, such as allowing airport staff to provide expertise to help non-airport entities administer ACIPs. However, the proposal would also include a few additional requirements, including the obligation for airports to publicly disclose information pertaining to air carrier incentives offered and awarded. The draft policy, if finalized, would supersede the 'Air Carrier Incentive Program Guidebook,' which was published in 2010 to provide guidance to airports on these incentive programs. 

You can find AAAE's survey on the draft policy here. We encourage you to share the survey with your staff that is responsible for managing the airport's ACIP. The survey results will enable us to better respond to FAA through comments and communicate potential impacts or concerns that may result from implementation of the policy. 

FAA has set Tuesday, April 4, as the deadline for submitting responses. Airports are encouraged to review the proposal, notify AAAE of concerns or any other issues, and consider filing individual comments. You can submit a response to FAA through the regulatory docket here. We are asking members to provide us with feedback through the survey no later than Wednesday, March 22.