Statement on Senate passage of FAA Reauthorization
Statement by AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey
March 23, 2010
Passage yesterday of a long-awaited FAA reauthorization bill by the Senate is a good step forward to restoring program and budget stability to the nation’s largest operational agency. The FAA is currently approaching its twelfth short-term extension since Vision 100 expired in September, 2007.
AIA is particularly pleased with the Senate’s foreign repair station provision, which seeks to honor bilateral aviation safety agreements. AIA is also a strong supporter of the administration’s goal to accelerate NextGen implementation. Language in the Senate bill moves up expected avionics equipage deadlines substantially. In this economy, we appreciate language in the bill that acknowledges the appropriateness of federal funding incentives for airborne air traffic management infrastructure.
The Senate and House-passed bills have significant differences. AIA looks forward to working with congressional conferees to ensure a final bill that continues to bring safe and efficient air travel to the general public.
