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Senate and House Committees Move FAA Reauthorization

After nearly three and a half years and seventeen extensions Congress is finally moving legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration programs. On February 18 the Senate approved a two year measure that would, among other things, fund the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at 4.0 and 4.1 billion respectively.  In the House, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a 4-year FAA reauthorization. The House bill, which now awaits floor action, funds the AIP at $3.1 billion for the first year and subsequently at $3.0 billion per year.  Neither bill includes an increase to the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) which is currently capped at $4.50.  Airports are allowed to establish a PFC to pay for capital improvement projects. The federal aviation programs have been operating under a series of short term extensions since 2007—the current one runs through March 31.