AAAE Senior Executive Vice President Todd Hauptli on Tuesday outlined the effect of the recession on the airport industry for members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and urged them to support FAA reauthorization legislation that provides self-help funding for airport improvements.
Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), ranking member Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) and a dozen members of the panel heard presentations from several industry representations as part of a “Survival of the Airline Industry” forum.
Hauptli emphasized three points in his presentation: airports aren’t immune to the downturn and have been forced to implement budget cutbacks that include deferred construction; due to the likelihood of a reduced federal budget for next year for all except defense spending, airport self-help measures, such as an increased PFC ceiling, are needed; and Congress should employ a “do no harm” approach to regulation in order not to worsen the present financial state of the airport community.
On the latter point, Hauptli specifically noted House-approved language in its version of FAA reauthorization legislation that could impose National Fire Protection Association standards on airports that the industry considers to be excessive and could jeopardize commercial air service to small communities. Hauptli also urged members of the panel to approve legislation that would eliminate permanently the Alternative Minimum Tax penalty on airport private activity bonds.
http://www.aviationnews.net/?do=headline&news_ID=173642
Source: AVIATION NEWS
Date: 2009-11-17