This week, Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced the PLANE (Promoting the Launch of Aviation’s Next Era) Act of 2019 (S. 2198). This legislation would support the aviation industry and general aviation in particular through the expansion of a pilots bill of rights, and investments in airports and infrastructure.
“On behalf of more than 6,000 small businesses, farms, elected officials, individuals and communities across the country, we welcome the introduction of the PLANE Act by Senators Inhofe and King, which would support our aviation infrastructure and future aviators” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America.
“Our nation relies on a network of more than 5,000 airports which support critical services, agriculture, and economic activity in communities across the country.
“We also applaud the continuing leadership of Senators Inhofe and King on behalf of our general aviation industry, which represents over $200 billion in economic activity and supports over 1 million American jobs across the country.”
The proposed legislation would support the nation’s network of airports by preventing revenue collected from aviation fuel taxes from being diverted away from the Airport and Airways Trust Fund. In addition, the bill would allow certain general aviation airports to be designated as “disaster relief airports,” which would help to support critical services in communities across the country.