Aviation groups urge Congress to prioritize FAA modernization budget

A coalition of aviation industry stakeholders recently sent a letter to Congressional leaders, requesting a larger investment in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) air traffic control modernization budget.

“Our collective view is that Congress should consider making changes to its administration of the Airport & Airway Trust Fund in such a way that continues the appropriators’ and authorizers’ important oversight role while giving the FAA the ability to more effectively utilize the Trust Fund balance for needed facility upgrades and system modernization,” the letter said. “This would bring the FAA’s Facilities & Equipment capital program more in line with the approach taken for other transportation programs like the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, surface transportation contract authority and the Airport Improvement Program.”

The aviation industry accounts for more than 5 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product.

The letter was sent to the leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation; the Senate Committee on Appropriations; the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; the House Subcommittee on Aviation; the House Committee on Appropriations; and the House Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.

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