Airports Call for Modernization of Airport Infrastructure in FAA Reauthorization Proposal

September 25, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 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 today issued the following statement regarding legislation to reauthorize the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration:

“There’s no sugar-coating the fact that the long-term FAA reauthorization bill that the House and Senate will soon consider will do nothing for airports and travelers eager to see modernization of aging airport facilities. The airport industry cannot get behind this proposal given the flat federal funding level, continued federal interference with local airport financing flexibility, and new federal mandates. In even the best case scenario, this measure keeps airports stuck in neutral for the next five years by failing to address the fact that more travelers are taking to the skies thus further crowding outdated terminals and tarmacs. Washington can best help by getting out of the way and letting airports address their needs locally, and we remain committed to convincing a future Congress to adopt the approach that puts the good of the traveling public and communities across the country first.”

 

About ACI-NA

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports. Collectively, U.S. airports support more than 11.5 million jobs and account for $1.4 trillion in economic activity – or more than seven percent of the total U.S. GDP. Canadian airports support 405,000 jobs and contribute C$35 billion to Canada’s GDP. Learn more at www.airportscouncil.org.