Principato: Cutting Program 'Simply Doesn't Make Sense'

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) President Greg Principato (pictured) expressed concern Friday morning with the proposed five percent reduction in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding included in House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica’s legislation to extend operating authority for the FAA for the 22nd time.

“The airport community is gravely concerned about any cuts to Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which has been level funded since Fiscal Year 2006," Principato said in a statement. "It simply doesn’t make any sense at a time when both parties are focused on creating jobs to cut a program like AIP that is a proven jobs creator in large and small communities across the country.

"It also raises serious questions with the ability of the FAA to fund critical safety projects, including the congressionally-mandated runway safety program which airports across the country must meet by 2015," he continued. "Passengers have paid, and continue to pay, for needed safety improvements through the aviation taxes assessed when they fly.  Congress needs to understand that cutting AIP funding will negatively impact airport safety projects and job creation.”

FMI: www.aci-na.org