Airports Council Releases Statement on Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act

October 16, 2026

WASHINGTON — Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, released the following statement of support for the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act.

“America’s airports support 12.8 million jobs and generate $1.8 trillion in economic output, but uncertain and inefficient federal permitting makes it harder to modernize the infrastructure travelers depend on,” said Annie Russo, Chief Political and Congressional Strategy Officer of ACI-NA.  “The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act tackles that problem head-on.  It clarifies what counts as a major federal action, expands categorical exclusions, and gives state and local authorities a bigger role in permitting.  We thank Senators Capito, Lee, Whitehouse, and Heinrich for their bipartisan leadership, and we look forward to working with Congress and the White House so America’s airports can meet rising demand and keep driving economic growth.”

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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.