Legislation Includes Priorities To Strengthen Aviation Safety, Boost Aviation Workforce, Modernize Nation’s Airports... 

After months of wrangling, an agreement has been reached on a final bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the NTSB for five years. 

The legislation prioritizes investments to strengthen aviation safety standards, enhance consumer protections, advance technology and innovation, and build a modern, well-trained, safety-centric workforce. 

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO); Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA); House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA); and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following joint statement upon reaching agreement on a final bipartisan, bicameral bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):

“Now more than ever, the FAA needs strong and decisive direction from Congress to ensure America’s aviation system maintains its gold standard, and we have reached a bipartisan, bicameral, comprehensive agreement to do just that.

“The American people deserve nothing less than the safest and most efficient aerospace system in the world, and to that end, our bill provides critical safety enhancements, grows America’s aviation workforce, invests in infrastructure at airports of all sizes, sets clear priorities for advancing innovative aviation solutions, improves the flying public’s travel experience, and ensures a healthy general aviation sector for years to come.

“The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 is the culmination of months of work between House and Senate committee leaders, and we look forward to moving this agreement through both chambers as expeditiously as possible.”

Highlights of the bill -- so far -- include:  

• Authorizes more than $105 billion in appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2024 through 2028:
• $66.7 billion for FAA operations to fund key safety programs, from aircraft certification reform to air carrier oversight, and enable hiring, training and retention of safety-critical staff like air traffic controllers and technical engineers.
• $17.8 billion for FAA facilities and equipment to fund modernization of key technologies and systems to ensure the resilience and development of the world’s most complex airspace system.
• $19.35 billion for FAA airport infrastructure improvement grants to support more than 3,300 airports nationwide in meeting increasing demand and integration of emerging technologies. 
• $1.59 billion for FAA research, engineering and development to help America keep competitive in the global race for innovative and sustainable aerospace technology.
• Authorizes $738 million in appropriations for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for fiscal years 2024 through 2028.

FMI: www.faa.gov