FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2017

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) President and CEO Kevin M. Burke today called for immediate action to improve U.S. airport infrastructure following the release of a “D” rating for the state of America’s aviation infrastructure by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

“With nearly $100 billion in infrastructure needs over the next five years, America’s airports are at risk of losing their position as leaders in the global aviation system.  As today’s report card by the American Society of Civil Engineers demonstrates, we must act quickly to get Washington out of the way and eliminate the outdated federal restrictions that hold America’s airports back.  Over the last two years, America’s airport infrastructure needs have increased 32 percent and our ASCE rating has dropped.  Air passengers and communities count on their airports.  We can’t let them down.

“Airports are ready to work with Congress and the Trump Administration to address these significant infrastructure needs in the most cost-effective and sustainable way possible.  Congress can help ensure the self-sufficiency of America’s airports in meeting their own infrastructure needs without increasing federal spending by eliminating the outdated federal cap on the local user fee known as the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC).  To encourage additional investment, Congress should also fully fund the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).”

The ASCE Infrastructure Report Card comes on the heels of ACI-NA’s recently released report, Airport Infrastructure Needs: 2017 – 2021, a comprehensive look at airport infrastructure needs and projects.  ACI-NA estimates that U.S. airports have a collective funding need of $99.9 billion over the next five years, or nearly $20 billion per year, to undertake these projects.