NBAA Issues Statement on Full Congressional Passage of FAA Funding Extension

Washington, DC, July 13, 2016 – National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen today issued the statement below, following Senate passage of legislation extending funding and programs for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through Sept. 30, 2017.

The FAA’s current funding will expire on July 15. The House approved the same measure on July 11.

The extension bill includes several priorities advocated for by the general aviation community, while rejecting controversial proposals for creating a privatized air traffic control system, funded by user fees.

“Although a long-term FAA reauthorization bill that included important certification reforms would have been the best outcome in this debate, we commend House and Senate leaders for recognizing that resources must continue to be provided for the agency’s critical safety, infrastructure, modernization and other programs,” Bolen said. “This bipartisan, bicameral bill will ensure that the FAA has the resources it needs. We will continue working with House and Senate leaders on a reauthorization measure that can be approved with strong bipartisan support.”

Bolen especially noted the work of several congressional leaders on the FAA extension, including: Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL); the committee’s Aviation Subcommittee Chairwoman Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA); House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-9-PA) and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-4-OR); and the committee’s Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-2-NJ) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-2-WA).

The legislation now heads to President Obama for his signature.

# # #

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

SOURCE: NBAA