$100 Million In Grants For General Aviation Included In FAA Reauthorization Bill

Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) released the following statement last week, announcing significant federal funding authorized for Maryland's General Aviation airports in the House version of the FAA reauthorization bill. Hoyer has been a leading advocate for providing federal compensation for the devastating financial and economic losses suffered by the DC-3 airports which were severely impacted by the increased security measures taken after September 11, 2001.

"The House of Representatives passed the FAA Reauthorization bill that will provide $100 million to general aviation to help alleviate the cost incurred in meeting security requirements and the revenue lost because of the interruption in operations," Hoyer said in the statement. "This $100 million grant shows that we recognize the sacrifice that general aviation has made in the effort to make us more secure.  Let's not forget: the federal government imposed the restrictions on general aviation, and the federal government should do its part to help ease the financial burden those restrictions have caused.  This is a fair restitution that will start the process of a return to financial health of general aviation.

Jobs Lost, Companies Ruined

"After September 11, the Federal Aviation Administration issued temporary flight restrictions on the small aircraft of general aviation as part of its effort to make commercial air travel safer and to restore the public's confidence in the security of our Nation's airports.  Those restrictions have been  lifted for general aviation for every airport except Reagan National and the three DC area general aviation airports which remained closed to general aviation.  As a result, these airports, specifically College Park Airport, Potomac Airfield, and Washington Executive have been forced to nearly cease their operations, endangering the livelihood of their employees who have lost income and jobs and airport owners who have lost long-time customers and revenue.

"Lee Schiek, manager of the College Park Airport, reported earlier this year that flights in and out of College Park plummeted from about 1800 per month before September 11 to 164 per month at the beginning of 2003, and 55 of the airport's 87 based aircraft have left for other airports.

"This industry is a proven, integral part of the Nation's economy, providing vital services and economic stability to individuals, families, churches, hospitals, colleges, industry, small businesses, and communities.  Aviation transportation in Maryland is a $1.3 billion industry, an industry too large and too important to be hobbled any further in an already weak economy."

FMI: http://hoyer.house.gov