FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 27, 2018

 

WASHINGTON — Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) President and CEO Kevin M. Burke and American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) President and CEO Todd Hauptli issued the following statement today regarding legislation approved by the House of Representatives to reauthorize the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration:

“With airports having nearly $100 billion in infrastructure needs through 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 4) passed by the House today misses a significant opportunity to provide airports with the resources they require to repair aging infrastructure, make needed investments in their facilities to accommodate rising passenger and cargo volume, and enhance air service competition for the benefit of passengers.

“H.R. 4 falls short in addressing the long-term infrastructure needs of our aviation system by failing to adjust the outdated federal cap on the locally set Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) user fee and by holding guaranteed federal support for the Airport Improvement Program flat for the duration of the bill even though the annual AIP funding shortfall exceeds $3 billion according to the FAA.

“While the Administration and Congress continue to talk about infrastructure investment, much more needs to be done to address the systemic funding problems that put airports of all sizes at a significant disadvantage for modernizing their facilities to meet the needs of air passengers and local communities. Unfortunately this bill is not the impactful infrastructure plan the aviation industry desperately needs at this critical juncture.

“The airport industry will continue our work with Congress and the White House to achieve policy solutions that will empower airports to better serve their passengers and communities.”