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FAA Budget Provides Needed Boost to NextGen

February 05, 2008

"The administration's FAA budget request for fiscal 2009 provides a major step forward in air transportation modernization, and Congress should support the effort," AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said. The request significantly increases funding for development and implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, known as NextGen. The increase will go largely to advanced satellite-based air traffic management technologies like Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast, or ADS-B. "This investment will boost ongoing efforts to advance NextGen and deal with the daunting challenges posed by the ever-increasing demand for air travel," Blakey said. The funding increases come as planning for NextGen is maturing and the need moves to developing and implementing the technologies involved. AIA believes it is important for the FAA to take these tangible steps forward toward implementing the new air transportation system.