Bill Must Still Pass Senate, White House

The National Business Aviation Association NBAA Monday hailed passage in the US House of Representatives of two bills that would reopen Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to general aviation.

"The nation's business aviation community is grateful to the House for its strong bipartisan support for ending the prolonged closure of DCA to general aviation, which has taken a huge economic toll on the region, the nation and certainly the business aviation community," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

Last week, the House passed a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill for fiscal year 2006, which includes a provision directing DHS to rescind the ban on general aviation flights at Reagan National Airport within 60 days of enactment of the legislation.

The bill also includes language encouraging the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to continue moving forward to implement a voluntary general aviation security program known as the Transportation Security Administration Access Certificate (TSAAC).

"NBAA appreciates the support for the TSAAC program in the House," Bolen said. "This security program strikes the correct balance between freedom of mobility and America's homeland security needs. Our industry has worked very hard with federal security officials to develop this program and we look forward to its continued implementation and success."

Separately, the House passed reauthorization legislation for DHS that includes a provision directing the Agency to reopen Reagan National Airport to general aviation within 60 days of enactment of the reauthorization bill.

Both of the measures passed by the House last week now await Senate consideration.

"The measures passed by leaders in the House this week once again demonstrate an understanding that effective security measures and normal economic activity can coincide at one of the nation's most important airports," Bolen said. "As the Senate prepares to consider these pieces of legislation, NBAA will be working with Senate leaders to encourage their continuing support for reopening Reagan National Airport to general aviation."

FMI: www.nbaa.org