NATA Says Lobbying Effort Helped Make Passage Possible

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) applauds action taken by the United States Senate to prevent delays and safety implications caused by the Obama Administration’s decision to shutter the contract tower program and furlough air traffic controllers, the organization said in a news release.

The legislation passed by the Senate provides the Secretary of Transportation the funding flexibility to prevent reduced operations and staffing at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). While the legislation did not directly address the contract tower program, the FAA will now have the flexibility to provide funding for the program. NATA will continue to work with the FAA to develop a common sense approach to ensuring the viability of the contract tower program that brings efficiencies and safety to our aviation system. The bill was sent to the House for consideration there.

Congressional leaders in both the House and Senate have introduced legislation to restore funding to protect the contract tower program. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) offered the Protect Our Skies Act to prevent the Department of Transportation from closing towers during fiscal years 2013 and 2014. On the House side, Reps. Tom Cotton (R-AK), Bruce Braley (D-IA), and Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced similar legislation. Their bipartisan efforts helped pave the way for the continuation of the contract tower program and the equal distribution of reductions in spending among other FAA programs in a sensible and fair manner.

"Today's (Thursday's) action by the Senate is in part due to the ongoing efforts of NATA members engaging in the legislative process. This bipartisan measure provides the means and flexibility for the FAA to prevent the shuttering of the contract tower program thereby ensuring safety and efficiency at many airports across the country - a win for communities and the traveling public," stated NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks. "We will continue to work with FAA Administrator Huerta to address this important aviation safety program."

A4A also sent thanks to the Senators instrumental in moving the legislation quickly through the Senate.

“We thank Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), John Thune (R-SD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Udall (D-CO), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for their bipartisan leadership in ensuring that the two million passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo that our members fly every day are not needlessly impacted by lengthy flight delays and cancellations,” said A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. “Air travel is critical to our economy and to jobs, and this measure ensures that air traffic controllers can return to work, and importantly return efficiency to the national air space.”

A4A urged the House to pass this bill critical to millions of travelers and shippers, jobs and the U.S. economy on Friday, before it leaves for recess.

FMI: www.nata.aero, www.airlines.org