Controversial Provision Will Not Be Part Of The Ongoing Negotiations On FAA Reauthorization

The aviation industry has begun to react to the announcement from House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-9-PA) to set aside his proposal for removing air traffic control (ATC) from the FAA.

The proposal was part of House legislation (H.R. 2997) to reauthorize funding and programs for the FAA.

“We are profoundly grateful for everyone who has made their voice heard on this critical issue, including NBAA's members and the entire general aviation community, as well as a chorus of opposition from a diverse, informed and united coalition," NBAA said in a statement released to the media.

“The many members of Congress who carefully considered this issue, listened to concerns from their constituents, and ultimately stood with the general aviation community should also be applauded.

“The general aviation community came together like never before, and clearly told Congress that handing over our nation’s ATC system to an airline-dominated board is a risk we simply cannot take – everyone should be proud of this significant effort.

"As we all know, long-term reauthorization of the FAA, and the continuing modernization of the nation's aviation system, is a national priority, one we all share. We are profoundly grateful that Chairman Shuster has responded to the concerns that have been raised over his proposal, by a large and diverse group of organizations and individuals.

“We look forward to working with the chairman and other congressional transportation leaders on both sides of Capitol Hill, on a bipartisan basis, to advance a long-term FAA reauthorization package that serves all Americans, and ensures the U.S. has the world’s best air transportation system for decades to come. Now is the time to focus our full attention on a long-term FAA bill that continues advancing the modernization efforts that are already improving our ATC system."

“This is a tribute to all of you in general aviation who took the time to make yourself heard,” said EAA CEO/Chairman Jack J. Pelton. “Thanks to the unified fight by the GA community, this bill was not going to pass with ATC privatization as part of it. We can now move ahead with what we have maintained all along – modernization, not privatization. We can fund the FAA long-term and let the agency continue with its already progressing modernization efforts.

“I want to thank every one of the grassroots aviators who took time to call, write, and visit their congressional representatives, and express the far-reaching negative impacts that ATC privatization would have on the world’s busiest, most complex, and safest air traffic system.”

EAA was among the groups who warned of the privatization threat, a coalition that grew to include more than 200 aviation associations, plus consumer advocates, mayors from throughout the country, and even some conservative groups. The government’s own nonpartisan review agencies also panned the ATC privatization concept, noting it would add nearly $100 billion to the federal deficit, slow modernization of the air traffic system, and threaten national security.

“This was, as we’ve said all along, a bad solution to a nonexistent problem,” Pelton said. “Now let us join together to do the real work on behalf of aviation. We seek congressional passage of a bill that will maintain equal access to skies and eliminates the threat of user fees, aviation event fees, and other burdens that inhibit the future of general aviation.”

“While NATA is deeply appreciative of the courtesies shown general aviation in Chairman Shuster’s FAA reauthorization bill, we commend the Chairman for putting differences aside and his commitment to work with Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune to pass a comprehensive long-term FAA reauthorization bill that provides needed stability to the FAA that does not include air traffic control privatization," NATA said in a similar statement. "NATA is committed to working with Chairmen Shuster and Thune and Congress to ensure the United States maintains our status as the world’s safest airspace system in the world.”

“This is a victory for the general aviation industry, and our success is due to the hard work and collaboration of our members across the country who wrote, called and met with their Members of Congress to explain the detrimental impact this proposal would have on our industry. We also praise the tireless efforts of Members of Congress who listened to the concerns of the aviation business community and advocated on our behalf. This win for the general aviation community shows what can be achieved when we all pull together toward a common goal, ensuring our airspace system remains for the benefit of all users. NATA also thanks those that collaborated with us in a coordinated industry effort, including NBAA, AOPA, EAA, HAI, and GAMA.”

"We commend Chairman Shuster for responsibly relinquishing his effort to reform our nation’s air traffic control system as we recognize that this could not have been an easy decision,” said NASAO President Mark Kimberling. “At the end of the day, the votes weren’t there, and rather than drag out the stalemate as occurred with the 23 extensions last cycle, the Chairman has instead shifted his focus to pass a much-needed, long-term FAA Reauthorization. To that end, we greatly look forward to working with the Chairman and other key Members of Congress in both chambers to advance a long-term bill that includes many other consensus, bipartisan reforms that had previously been sidelined.”  

NASAO has been opposed to removing air traffic control functions from the government since the inception of the debate, but sharpened our position at a key juncture in a previous public statement, when the fundamentally flawed tax title was released. “It became clear that the bill would dismantle a system of taxes and revenue, and a very healthy AATF that is nearly 100% self-sufficient, in favor of a haphazard revised tax scheme that could not even support the AIP increases contained in the bill as reported out of committee,” said Kimberling. “With $100 billion in identified airport infrastructure needs over the next five years – a deficit that has grown dramatically over the past two years due to funding interruptions -- it’s imperative that we swiftly turn our attention to what really ails us.”

(Source: Media releases)

FMI: www.nbaa.org, www.nata.aero, www.eaa.org, www.nasao.org