NATA Statement on Approval of Year-End Congressional Tax and Spending Package

Washington, DC, December 18, 2015 – Today, Congress gave final approval to a $2 trillion package of tax policy changes and funding for fiscal year 2016 – including money for the ongoing operation of the FAA. The President is expected to sign the package into law.

The package contains tax and spending provisions both sought and supported by NATA including a five-year extension of bonus depreciation, from 2015 through 2019 and a permanent increase in Section 179 expensing. In addition, the legislation provides the FAA with $16.3 billion for the current fiscal year, an approximately three percent increase over the President’s request. This includes funding for NATA requested priorities, such as full funding for the contract tower program and $7 million to continue alternative general aviation fuels research.

The following is a statement by National Air Transportation Association President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks:

"NATA thanks the Congressional leadership and the House and Senate tax-writing committees for recognizing the importance of pro-investment tax policies like bonus depreciation and Section 179 to keep our economy moving forward. The tax package is an important prelude to comprehensive tax reform and NATA will continue to work with our partners in the business community toward that goal. While accelerated depreciation is helpful to investment and the overall economy, the ultimate goal should be the immediate and full write-off of all business investment expenses.

NATA is also appreciative of the funding levels and guidance provided to the FAA by Congressional appropriators. It demonstrates that the budget process can provide the agency with the resources it needs to operate and modernize our nation’s air traffic control system without having to resort to alternative organizational proposals including the creation of a separate, user-fee funded air traffic control corporation.”