NATA Statement on Final Approval of Bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Legislation

Washington, DC, July 13, 2016 – Today, the U.S. Senate gave final approval to the “FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016.” The legislation extends the FAA’s funding and aviation taxes at current levels through September 30, 2017. The legislation includes provisions addressing the challenges of integrating unmanned aerial vehicles into the national airspace, bolstering airport security, and streamlining the third-class medical process for general aviation pilots.

“The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) thanks Congress for taking swift action on the bipartisan agreement reached last week by the House Transportation and Senate Commerce Committees,” stated William R. Deere, the association’s Senior Vice President for Government and External Affairs. “Lawmakers have long-considered aviation a non-partisan matter and the legislation now before the President for signature represents the hard work of congressional members and staffs from both sides of the Capitol and political aisles. However, some key aviation issues remain unresolved so we will continue to work with Congress toward enactment of more comprehensive, long-term legislation that includes improving the agency’s regulatory consistency and other provisions that will assist the agency and aviation businesses to operate more efficiently.”

NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks added, “We are particularly appreciative that lawmakers rejected a divisive House proposal to create a corporatized air traffic control system. The cost for that victory was that many non-controversial provisions to enhance aviation safety, agency efficiency and our country’s economic competitiveness must wait until next year. We will urge the next Congress to drop this divisive proposal in 2017 and approve legislation that represents consensus work of the House, Senate and aviation stakeholders.”