FAA reauthorization will keep America flying high

Airports have not been immune to government budget cuts, but they are seeing a clearer picture of the future courtesy of the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization proposal currently making its way through Congress. The newest proposal calls for slightly lower funding in coming years, reduced to FY2008 levels. However, the Obama administration’s proposed FY2012 budget would raise airport passenger fees to help fund more airport expansion projects. Those projects will be needed because the FAA now forecasts that total passenger levels will jump 80 percent in the next two decades.

The journey toward FAA reauthorization has taken many twists and turns since the last multi-year FAA bill expired almost three years ago. An agreement on Sept. 15 resulted in the 22nd extention of the FAA's operating authority (through Jan. 31, 2012).

While this continues to be a moving target, it’s clear that both parties and both houses of Congress have their eyes set on modernizing our country’s air traffic system.

Now is the time to reach a long-term agreement that ensures the safety, security and reliability of our air travel system.

Key questions to address
Why is transformation needed?
What changes are needed to implement NextGen
Should airlines pay for technical upgrades necessary for NextGen?
How will the FAA spend their money?
What is the public’s opinion on aviation safety and security?