NBAA Again Urges Lawmakers To Pass Reauthorization Bill

On Thursday, the National Business Aviation Association applauded Congressional action taken thus far to fund the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and modernize America's aviation system... and once again called upon Congress to pass final FAA reauthorization/funding legislation before the end of 2008.

Earlier in the day, the Senate cleared a three-month extension of FAA funding and programs through September 30, 2008. The House approved the extension legislation, H.R. 6327, on June 24 and it will now be sent the President for his signature. The previous extension was set to expire on June 30.

As ANN reported, an FAA reauthorization bill passed last year by the House... but similar Senate legislation stalled in May. Both bills include increases to the general aviation fuel tax to provide additional funding each year for continued transformation toward a satellite-based aviation system, also known as "NextGen."

What the bills don't include -- and what airline interests, and the politicians they influence, want to see -- are new user fees for general aviation planes. And NBAA wants it to stay that way.

"NBAA appreciates the good work Congress has done to date on FAA reauthorization," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "This short term extension is a good step, because it will give the FAA authority to continue to operate. But, today's action also underscores the need to pass a multi-year reauthorization bill that will provide stability and build on the efforts already underway to modernize the nation's air transportation system. So we remain hopeful that Congress will complete its work on a multi-year FAA reauthorization bill in 2008."

FMI: www.nbaa.org, www.senate.gov