Coalition Of 40 Stakeholders Write Letter Backing Aviation Funding Stability Act Of 2019

A coalition of 40 stakeholders representing all segments of the aviation and travel industries today sent a letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Subcommittee on Aviation, conveying its strong support for the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019 (H.R. 1108).

"During the recent shutdown, air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals were forced to work without pay and thousands of others were furloughed," the letter, dated February 12 stated. "Jobs and economic growth in the industry were threatened as manufacturers, airlines and other operators, and small businesses faced disruption. The effect on the nation's air transportation system and the workers charged with keeping the system safe was dramatic. We find this situation to be unacceptable and we want to work with Congress and the Administration to prevent this from ever happening again.

"The legislation is designed to provide a limited, targeted way of ensuring stability for the aviation system and it does not change congressional direction or oversight in any way.

"H.R. 1108 allows FAA to carry out its mission by using the AATF, which presently has an uncommitted balance of over six billion dollars. Additionally, users of the system continued to pay taxes and fees during the shutdown to fund the aviation system, but the dollars could not be accessed to support controllers, safety specialists, and other critical FAA personnel absent a legislative fix. Passengers, shippers, FAA employees, operators, businesses, pilots, airline employees and others rely on our aviation system and support its operation through payments to the Trust Fund.

"We look forward to working with the Committee, other members of Congress, and the Administration to pass H.R. 1108 and ensure that the FAA operates safely and efficiently for the flying public."

(Source: NATCA news release)

FMI: natca.org/images/members/IndustrySupportLetterforHR1108FINALFeb122019.pdf