The US House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has approved an amendment to HR 1108, the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019, which would increase funding for the state’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) from US$3.35bn to US$4bn per year, for fiscal years 2020-2023.
The amendment, which was introduced by representative Sam Graves, ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was passed by voice vote and is supported by the Alliance for Aviation Across America and other general aviation groups.
Originating from the Federal Airport Act of 1946, which was the first serious effort designed to create a system of national airports like the National Highway System. HR 1108 now awaits consideration by the full US House of Representatives.
Selena Shilad, executive director, Alliance for Aviation Across America, said, “We are pleased that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed legislation to help protect funding for the FAA. In particular, we commend the Committee for including an amendment to increase funding for the AIP, which supports critical long-term funding projects and our national system of airports as a whole. There are over 5,000 airports around the country, the majority of which are general aviation airports, and play an essential role in supporting local businesses, driving economic activity and connecting communities to medical care, disaster relief, fire-fighting, and many other critical services.
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of over 6,000 individuals representing businesses, agricultural groups, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups.