A coalition of 30 organizations representing a cross-section of the US aviation industry is appealing the leadership of the US Senate to move expeditiously to consider legislation for a long-term reauthorization of the FAA, before current authorization for the agency expires on Sept. 30.
In its Aug. 15 letter, the group said the numerous short-term extensions of the FAA’s authority since 2015 have “negatively impacted the FAA’s activities,” and that long-term legislation would allow all stakeholders in the aviation industry the “certainty to continue to build, invest, hire, innovate and grow.”
Airlines for America (A4A) president and CEO Nicholas Calio, in a statement referencing the letter, said: “Adopting a long-term reauthorization bill will provide stability for the FAA to uphold the highest levels of safety we have today, while providing the certainty that employers need to continue creating new jobs, investing in crucial infrastructure and new technology, and encouraging innovation that will move the industry forward.”
The House passed H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act, in late April on a 393-13 vote. The Senate is currently working through a host of amendments, although it’s still unclear when exactly the bill will see floor time. The two chambers will have to reconcile their versions of the bill in a conference committee, before sending it to US President Donald Trump to sign by its Sept. 30 deadline.
Groups that signed the letter addressed to Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) include A4A, the Air Line Pilots Association, the Air Traffic Control Association, IATA, the Cargo Airline Association, the National Air Carrier Association and the US Chamber of Commerce, among others.
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