The Latest From Washington
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Monthly Conference Call Summary for July 2021
TSA held its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders on July 1, 2021. This alert summarizes highlights from the call.
07/01/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: DOT Announces $845 Million in AIP Grants for 338 Airports
DOT announced the award of $845 million in airport grants as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
07/01/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: House Subcommittee Approves FY 2022 DHS/TSA/CBP Funding Bill
The House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee approved a FY 2022 funding bill, totaling $52.81 billion in discretionary appropriations, for DHS and its component agencies, including TSA and CBP, in a short business meeting this morning.
06/30/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Monthly Call Reminder and Updated ASP Amendment Issued for Notice and Comment
This security policy alert contains a reminder for TSA's monthly call for airport stakeholders as well as information about an updated ASP amendment that was issues for notice and comment.
06/29/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: White House Signals Future Changes to NEPA Regulations
The White House’s CEQ extended the deadline by two years for federal agencies, including the FAA, to develop or update their guidance for implementing provisions of the NEPA.
06/29/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Launches Anti-Violence Campaign
As traveler volumes steadily increase, TSA is reminding passengers to remain calm and respectful at the security checkpoint or face criminal and civil penalties.
06/24/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: President Biden and Bipartisan Senate Group Reach Agreement on Infrastructure, But Hurdles Remain
President Biden and the bipartisan group of senators known as the G-21 came to an agreement on the size and scope of a five-year, $973 billion infrastructure framework...
06/24/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Announces $8 Billion in Airport Rescue Grants
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced grant awards for the $8 billion in Airport Rescue Grants that the agency is making available to airports and eligible concessionaires...
06/22/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Protect Aviation Workers and Programs During Government Shutdowns
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and a bipartisan group of House lawmakers today introduced a bill to protect aviation workers and programs during any future government shutdowns. The bill comes as lawmakers are
06/22/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan Draws New Momentum; $25 Billion in New Funding Proposed for Airports
After a week where bipartisan infrastructure negotiations appeared to be trending downwards, a plan from a group of Democrat and Republican senators is picking up new support and momentum.
06/17/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: DHS Deputy Secretary Confirmed Permitting Pekoske to Return to TSA
The Senate confirmed John Tien as the Deputy Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Once he is sworn in, David Pekoske, who has been serving as the Acting Deputy Secretary since February 2, 2021, will return to TSA where he serves..
06/17/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Committee Rejects Proposal to Repeal Federal Mask Mandate in Transportation
The Senate Commerce Committee approved its sections of a surface transportation authorization bill, and during consideration of the measure rejected an amendment that called for repealing the federal mask mandate in transportation hubs.
06/16/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: House Approves Early Incentive Bill
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.
06/15/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues Bulletin Addressing STA Processing Delays
TSA has posted a bulletin on the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) addressing the increase in Security Threat Assessment (STA) processing times.
06/14/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues Updated FAQ on Face Mask SD
As anticipated, TSA has issued an updated Frequently Asked Questions document regarding the Security Directives implementing face mask requirements in and on airports and on aircraft.
06/11/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases FAQ Guidance for Airport Rescue Grants
The Federal Aviation Administration released a frequently asked questions document that provides guidance for airport sponsors on how FAA will administer the $8 billion in Airport Rescue Grants.
06/11/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Key, Bipartisan Group of Senators Releases Details of Yet Another Infrastructure Plan
Following the collapse of bipartisan talks earlier this week between President Biden and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), a bipartisan group of five Democratic and five Republican Senators released their opening offer in ongoing...
06/10/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: CDC Issues Revised Face Mask Requirements for Outdoor Spaces at Airports
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it will be amending its face mask Order so that people are not required to wear a mask while outdoors...
06/10/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Announces New UAS BVLOS Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee
Administrator Steve Dickson announced that the FAA is forming a new UAS BVLOS Operations ARC to develop recommendations for the agency on a regulatory framework to enable more routine BVLOS operations.
06/09/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Infrastructure Negotiations with GOP Break Down —New Proposals Now Enter the Mix
Bipartisan negotiations on infrastructure between the White House and a group of Senate Republicans led by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) reached an impasse, with both sides pointing fingers at one another...
06/09/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Announces Shannetta Griffin as New Associate Administrator for Airports
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E., is the agency’s new Associate Administrator for the Office of Airports.
06/08/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Monthly Conference Call Summary for June 2021
TSA held its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders, led by Alan Paterno, TSA's Airport Industry Engagement Manager in the office of Policy, Plans and Engagement (PPE). This alert summarizes highlights from the call.
06/03/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Biden Administration Releases FY22 Budget Request
The Biden Administration released a $6 trillion budget request for Fiscal Year 2022 that proposes funding for a long list of airport-related initiatives in DOT and DHS.
05/28/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Republicans Unveil Infrastructure Roadmap in Latest Back and Forth with White House
Senate Republicans released their latest offer in the ongoing bipartisan negotiations on infrastructure.
05/27/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Committee Approves 5-Year Surface Transportation Bill
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approved a 5-year surface transportation bill that proposes to open the door for airports to use federal loans and loan guarantees for a wider variety of infrastructure projects.
05/26/2021
