Act Kicks the FAA Funding Can Down the Road to FY2028

The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) applauded the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for approving S.1939, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023.

They issued a short statement of support for the reauth, which ensures the viability of the FAA and its attendant programs through the 2028 fiscal year. One change they specifically highlighted was increased support and investments in public airports, particularly the addition of more funding for 'non-hub and non-primary airports'. That's a nice wink to the future eVTOL industry, a game changer that could see widespread use of smaller airfields too short for typical commercial service. Additional grants will help with cleanup of FAA-mandated firefighting foams; the Essential Air Service and Small Community Air Service Development Programs,' and increased support for Block Grant States. The latter will allow "certain States to optimize federal and state funding for their airport systems."

“State aviation leaders across the nation are pleased to see this significant progress in the Senate towards passing the FAA Reauthorization bill,” said Greg Pecoraro, President and CEO of NASAO. “We are particularly pleased to see important new financial support for the nation’s airports, as well as provisions to help integrate into the aviation system the exciting new aeronautical technologies that have the potential to change the way we access aviation. We look forward to swift action on the Senate floor, successful negotiations with the House, and final adoption of a bill. Thank you to Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Cruz, and Senators Duckworth and Moran for their leadership and work on this bill.”

FMI: www.nasao.org