| Topics in this Volume
 NATA Letter To DOT Supports Inclusion Of Ground Handling Operators In Diversion Forum |
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood recently held a Diversion Forum to develop better ways to manage aircraft diversions after the October 29 snow storm that crippled the national airspace system and left hundreds of passengers trapped for hours on planes in Hartford, Connecticut.
NATA on behalf its Airline Services Council (ASC) sent a letter to Secretary LaHood commending the DOT and FAA for holding the Diversion Forum to address future diversion events. The letter suggests that to handle diversion events effectively would require airports to have a diversion plan. Such a plan would need to be completed by any Part 139 certificated airport and accepted by the FAA and should be developed in coordination with airport ground service and fuel providers to ensure that needed equipment and manpower could be made available during a diversion event. The diversion plan would also cover airport-specific operating plans that take into account security requirements and available space for additional passengers.
The letter further states that “ground service companies provide a critical role in an airport’s ability to properly manage diversion events.” NATA and its ASC members specifically requested to be a part of the process as the FAA works toward finalizing a system to ensure that the airline industry works together in sharing information and managing weather-related diversions in the future.
NATA looks forward to participating further in the Diversion Forum.
Back to Top
| 2012 Meeting Schedule Announced |
The NATA Airline Services Council meeting schedule for 2012 was recently announced. The Council will conduct two in-person meetings in 2012 as well as two conference calls that will be determined shortly and confirmed with members. Both in-person meetings will be held in the Washington, D.C. area. Details on these meetings can be found below:
Location:
DoubleTree Hotel, Crystal City
300 Army Navy Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
General Tel: (703) 416-4100
The guest room rate is $229++ per night for single occupancy. Please contact Diane Gleason at dgleason@nata.aero or (703) 575-2050, and she will secure your room reservation for each meeting.
The DoubleTree is conveniently located five minutes from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.
Spring Dates:
Monday, May 14 – 6:00 p.m.-evening: Dinner (TBD)
Tuesday, May 15 – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: ACS Meeting
Fall Dates:
Monday, October 1 – 6:00 p.m.-evening: Dinner (TBD)
Tuesday, October 2 – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: ACS Meeting
Back to Top
| House To Introduce Bill On Fairness Of Airline And Railway Union Elections |
On December 1, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica (R-FL) introduced a bill that would bring fairness and equality to the union election process within the airline and railway industries, as was recently updated by the National Mediation Board (NMB). Chairman Mica stated that the purpose of the bill is to ensure that the unionization and disbanding processes are reasonable and equal. “By ensuring equal standards for both processes, this legislation restores fairness to how unions are formed and decertified at our airlines and railways,” Mica said.
The NMB facilitates agreeable labor-management relations within the railroad and airline industries. Pursuant to the Railway Labor Act, NMB programs provide a resolution process to meet the objective of minimizing work stopgaps in the two industries.
Chairman Mica’s bill currently has more than 100 cosponsors. To read the bill, click here.
Back to Top
| Congress Passes Payroll Tax Extension |
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to extend the payroll tax cut and jobless benefits on December 23rd. The two-month payroll tax extension was passed by the Senate and held up in the House due to House Republican opposition to the bill not extending the tax cut for a full year. House Republicans maintained that a short-term extension wouldn’t provide the certainty that businesses need for planning and would cause administrative hassles for payroll providers and employers.
When Congress returns in January attention will turn to the conference committee assigned to carve out a longer-term deal between the two chambers. But the differences remain large over how to pay for the deal, with Republicans looking to areas like freezing wages of federal workers and Democrats still considering a tax hike on the wealthy.
House Republicans named conferees include Representatives Dave Camp (MI), Kevin Brady (TX), Renee Ellmers (NC), Nan Hayworth (NY), Tom Price (GA), Tom Reed (NY), Fred Upton (MI) and Greg Walden (OR). House Democrats named Representatives Sander Levin (MI), Xavier Becerra (CA), Chris Van Hollen (MD), Allyson Schwartz (PA), Henry Waxman (CA).
The U.S. House of Representatives reconvene for the second session of the 112th Congress on January 17, 2012. The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on January 23, 2012.
Back to Top
| NATA Participates In DHS Aviation Security Advisory Committee Meeting |
Last week, the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC), chartered by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, met for the first time since its previous charter expired in 2009. NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France is an appointed member of the committee and participated in the meeting. The purpose of the committee is to advise the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of issues of aviation security.
In a press release issued by the TSA shortly after the conclusion of the meeting, TSA Administrator John Pistole commented, “I appreciate the new Aviation Security Advisory Committee members’ service and dedication to helping TSA strengthen its layered approach to aviation security and I am confident that TSA and the broader traveling public stand to benefit from these meetings and the committee members’ experience, expertise, and counsel.” The press release commented on several of the items discussed at the meeting, “During the meeting, committee members discussed ASAC’s charter and by-laws, formed working groups, and settled on topics for future meetings. In addition to the status of general aviation and air cargo initiatives, TSA representatives updated participants on several new screening concepts being tested at select airports as part of TSA’s risk-based security approach, including the TSA Pre✓™ prescreening initiative, the Known Crew Member initiative designed to expedite airline pilots screening, and the expanded use of behavior detection in airports around the country.”
Click here to read the full TSA ASAC press release.
Back to Top
| Has Your Member Of Congress Co-sponsored The Freedom From Government Competition Act? |
The Freedom from Government Competition Act, H.R. 1474 and S. 785, was introduced earlier this year to reduce unfair government competition with the private sector, including small businesses. The legislation seeks to end government monopolies by subjecting commercial activities being performed by federal employees within government agencies to market competition to benefit the taxpayer. Not only do federal agencies duplicate private business, but many also engage in unfair government competition with the private sector. Many aviation businesses have been affected by unfair government competition in cases where an airport sponsor, the landlord and a government entity, uses state and federal funding to construct or renovate facilities to compete directly with existing fixed base operators (FBO) at an airport. NATA is increasingly concerned that this could become a growing paradigm for our industry. This legislation would help level the playing field between airports and FBOs if airports continue to complete in the market unfairly.
It is imperative that we have as many co-sponsor of this legislation as possible. Write your legislators today and request they become a co-sponsor. The number of co-sponsors a bill has determines whether Congress will consider the legislation. Currently, there are 20 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives for H.R. 1474, including Representatives John Duncan (R-TN) Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Paul Broun (R-GA), Mike Coffman (R-CO), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Sam Graves (R-MO), Ralph Hall (R-TX), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Randy Hultgren (R-IL), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) Steven LaTourette (R-OH), Donald Manzullo (R-IL), David McKinley (R-WV), Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Dennis Ross (R-FL), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), Kevin Yoder (R-KS) and Don Young (R-AK). In the U.S. Senate, Senators John Thune (R-SD), John Barrasso (R-WY), James Inhofe (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and Pat Roberts (R-KS) have co-signed S. 785.
You may contact your Members of Congress to request they co-sponsor the Freedom from Government Competition Act through the legislative action center. Urge your Members of Congress to support the bill today!
Back to Top
| NATA Joins Industry Letter Urging Senators To Support EU ETS Prohibition Bill |
NATA along with fourteen other industry associations sent a letter to all one hundred U.S. Senators seeking their support of S. 1956, the “European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011.” The bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on October 31, 2011, prohibits U.S. aviation operators from participating in the European Union (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The measure directs the transportation secretary to prohibit U.S. carriers flying to and from Europe from participating in the program if it is unilaterally imposed. It also allows other federal agencies to take steps necessary to ensure that U.S. carriers are not penalized by the EU emissions scheme. The Obama administration is also opposed to the EU ETS.
The EU insists that it will enforce a new law that imposes an emissions cap-and-trade program on airlines flying to and from Europe, despite angry opposition from the U.S. Congress. Starting January 1, 2012, the EU plans to include all airlines flying to and from its 27 member countries in its cap-and-trade program. This plan will eventually force the carriers to pay for their emissions of carbon dioxide, a so-called greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and could cost U.S. airlines $3.1 billion between 2012 and 2020. The restrictions are designed to encourage airlines to switch to cleaner fuels or economize on fuel consumption.
Back to Top
| No Changes To Random Testing Rates For 2012 |
The FAA has announced that the random drug and alcohol testing rates for covered aviation employees will remain unchanged for 2012.
For the period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012 the minimum random testing rates are:
- Drug testing = 25% of safety sensitive employees
- Alcohol testing = 10% of safety sensitive employees
To review the FAA notice regarding the 2012 rates, click here.
Additional information on mandatory Drug and Alcohol Programs is available from the FAA Website.
Back to Top
2012 Event Catalog To Arrive By Mail Soon
Register Online for Upcoming Events |
The 2012 NATA Educational Opportunities and Meetings catalog will soon arrive by mail. To make sure that you are on the list to receive a copy in the mail, click here to send an email to Linda Pylant with your name and contact information. You can preview a pdf version by clicking here. In the meantime, you can view more details and access links to register at www.nata.aero/events.
Back to Top
| NATA Releases Q1 Webinar Schedule |
NATA’s new E-learn program is designed to enhance your education from the convenience of your site. E-learn includes several webinars specially priced at $49.95 as well as free policy and event preview webinars. The registration rate for the scheduled webinars includes participation for one computer/connection in the live webinar, a copy of the presentations and any additional materials. These 60-minute webinars complement NATA’s networking Summit, Conference and seminars by bringing experts on the hottest topics to you throughout the year. Archived webinar recordings along with a pdf of the presentation slides may be purchased by clicking here. Upcoming 2012 Webinars - Register today at www.nata.aero/webinars:
2012 Negotiating Aviation Agreements Webinar $49.95
We will explore standard customer and vendor agreements used in FBO, Part 135 and Part 145 operations at airports, including key terms and conditions, and pointers on how to negotiate favorable terms. We will also discuss indemnity issues and how this one issue can make or break your business.
Speaker: Leonard Kirsch, Esq., McBreen & Kopko
Date/Time: January 26, 2012, at 12:00 EST
2012 How to Mitigate Fines from TSA, CBP, FAA, EPA Webinar $49.95
The federal government is looking to fine collection as a revenue source, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to negotiate down fines. This webinar will discuss how to analyze violations, how to defend and/or mitigate violations and, most importantly, what steps you can take to ensure that you are prepared so the next time you are violation-proof.
Speaker: Lisa Harig, Esq., McBreen & Kopko
Date/Time: February 23, 2012, at 12:00 EST
2012 Dealing with Hazardous Materials $49.95
Everything we do in aviation involves the use of hazardous materials. This seminar will discuss the obligations imposed by OSHA, EPA, FAA, Customs, and state and local governments on the purchase, storage, use and disposal of hazardous substances.
Speaker: Lindsay McGuire, Esq., McBreen & Kopko
Date/Time: April 26, 2012, at 12:00 EST
Visit www.nata.aero/webinars to register for any of these webinars and for frequent updates to the 2012 webinars schedule.
Back to Top
Support Congressional Candidates Essential To Airline Services Companies
Join NATAPAC Today! |
In the past, NATA has successfully contributed to Members of Congress who have proven their leadership in supporting general aviation. NATAPAC supports congressional campaigns of Members, regardless of party affiliation, who look out for the interests of aviation businesses. With political fundraising and campaign activity at an all time high, we cannot afford to allow other interest groups to define the issues that will impact our members.
To stay informed about NATAPAC, fill out the authorization form located in the NATAPAC brochure today. NATA must ask for permission to solicit its members, as required by law. Because NATA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization, we must obtain written approval from NATA’s member companies before soliciting contributions for NATAPAC. Completing and returning the form in no way requires you to make a contribution; however, signing the authorization form allows you to stay informed on congressional candidates NATAPAC supports and contribute to NATAPAC if you choose.
To view the NATAPAC brochure, including authorization form, please click here.
Additional information regarding NATAPAC can be found at www.nata.aero/natapac.
Back to Top
| Sign-Up To Receive NATA’s Weekly Political Update |
NATA offers its members a political update on specific items that the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and the White House are working on each week. This weekly update provides detailed information on hearings, legislation that was introduced or debated in committee, and any issue that NATA is following within Congress or the White House. The update’s purpose is to provide members a more comprehensive view of the legislative matters on which the association is working. The Weekly Political Update is sent out via email only to NATA members who request to receive it. To view past weekly updates, please click here. If you wish to receive these updates, please click here.
Back to Top
| 2011 NATA Airline Services Council Brochure Now Available For Member Use |
The NATA Airline Services Council brochure provides information on the latest activities that the council is undertaking, including issues, meeting schedule and member listing.
Members interested in receiving professionally printed hard copies of this brochure may contact NATA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Eric Byer.
Back to Top
| New NATA ASC Logo Available For Member Use |
NATA has created a new NATA Airline Services Council logo that members can use on company stationery, publications and their Web site. The association recently provided members with two types of logos that members can use as appropriate. Members wishing to secure the new logo may do so by contacting Eric Byer.
Back to Top
|