The Latest From Washington
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA to Restore Normal Operating Hours at ATC Facilities with Temporarily Adjusted Hours
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed AAAE that the agency is moving all of its air traffic control (ATC) facilities back to normal operating hours by March 28, or even sooner in some cases.
02/22/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Announces Deadlines on the Use of FY 2021 AIP Entitlement Funds
The Federal Aviation Administration (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...
02/18/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: FAA Announces Grant Awards and Additional Guidance for the Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program
FAA announced grant awards for the $2 billion that the agency is making available under the Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program (ACRGP)...
02/12/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Harvard Issues "Curb to Curb" Report on Airport's Efforts to Mitigate COVID-19
Harvard’s Aviation Public Health Initiative (APHI) issued a comprehensive report on the risk of coronavirus transmission in airports, after completing a “curb-to-curb” study...
02/11/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: AAAE Stresses Airport Funding Needs and Pandemic Challenges in Discussion with DOT Secretary Buttigieg
AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli joined other aviation industry leaders and FAA Administrator Steve Dickson in a virtual listening session with DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
02/10/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: House Committee Approves $8 Billion for "Airport Relief"
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved a coronavirus relief package that contains $8 billion for airports and concessionaires.
02/10/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Legislation Introduced in Senate and House to Better Protect Transportation Employees and Passengers from COVID-19
Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced the Essential Transportation Employee Safety Act of 2021.
02/09/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: AAAE Solicits Feedback on Aircraft Noise-Related Issues
AAAE is distributing a survey to members to solicit feedback from the airport community on aircraft noise-related issues, particularly the recently released findings from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) aircraft...
02/08/2021
Airport Affairs
Action Alert: House Transportation Relief Package to Include $8 Billion for "Airport Relief"
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will soon unveil their part of a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, including $8 billion for airports and concessionaires.
02/08/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: Summary TSA Monthly Conference Call for Airport Stakeholders
TSA held its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders on Feb. 4, 2021. The conference call was led by Alan Paterno, TSA's Airport Industry Engagement Manager in the office of Policy, Plans and Engagement (PPE).
02/04/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Approves Confirmation of Pete Buttigieg to Serve As DOT Secretary
On an 86 to 13 vote, the United States Senate has approved the nomination of Pete Buttigieg to serve as Secretary of Transportation.
02/02/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Approves Confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas to Serve As DHS Secretary
On a 56 to 43 vote, the United States Senate just approved the nomination of Alejandro (Ali) Mayorkas to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.
02/02/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Democratic Congressional Leaders Release Blueprint for $1.9 Trillion in Coronavirus Relief
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced they have filed a joint budget framework to enact the $1.9 trillion in relief sought by President Biden in his comprehensive American Rescue Plan.
02/01/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues SD to Enforce Face Mask Requirements
Following the release of a CDC order requiring individuals to wear masks while on conveyances and at transportation hubs, TSA has just issued a Security Directive (SD) requiring airports to enforce the mask mandate.
01/31/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: CDC Issues Nationwide Mask Mandate for Travelers on All Public Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs
The CDC issued an order that requires travelers to wear masks while using any form of public conveyance, such as on airlines, subways, buses or ferries, and in airports nationwide.
01/30/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: AAAE Joins Industry in Raising Concerns about Domestic Pre-Departure Testing
AAAE joined others within the aviation, travel, and tourism industries to send a letter to the White House COVID-19 Recovery Team Coordinator that raised concerns about the possibility of a pre-departure testing requirement for domestic air travel.
01/29/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: DHS Issues NTAS Bulletin on Heightened U.S. Threat Environment
Acting DHS Secretary David Pekoske issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) bulletin due to the heightened threat environment across the United States...
01/27/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Commerce Committee Approves Buttigieg Nomination
The Senate Commerce Committee has approved the nomination of Pete Buttigieg, President Biden’s pick to serve as Transportation Secretary, by a vote of 21-3.
01/27/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Revised COVID Testing Requirements for International Arrivals and Continued Travel Restrictions
The CDC has revised its order that required proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the U.S. from a foreign country.
01/26/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Nomination of Ali Mayorkas for DHS Secretary Advances for Full Senate Consideration
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee met to consider the nomination of Alejandro (Ali) Mayorkas for the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
01/26/2021
Airport Affairs
Action Alert: Airport Input Needed to Make Case for Additional Coronavirus Relief
AAAE members are asked to continue to engage with congressional delegations to highlight the situation at their airports and ongoing needs.
01/25/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues Final ASP Amendment on Centralized Revocation Database
TSA has informed AAAE that, as expected, the Executive Assistant Administrator for Operations Support Stacey Fitzmaurice has signed the the national amendment...
01/21/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: President Biden Makes Key Appointments at DHS, DOT, and FAA
President Biden has made appointments to key leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Transportation (DOT)...
01/21/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: President Biden Issues Executive Orders on Face Masks in Airports and COVID-19 Testing in International Air Travel
President Biden issued an executive order that directs his administration to mandate the use of face masks in airports and on commercial aircraft and require a negative COVID-19 test result...
01/21/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Administrator David Pekoske Serving as Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary
TSA Administrator David Pekoske is serving as the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security as the Senate considers the confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas.
01/20/2021
