Aviation Business Wins

The United States Congress prioritized aviation safety, innovation, and sustainability in the FY 2023 omnibus appropriations bill, including NATA-supported provisions for the aviation industry, from the establishment of a pilot grant program for AAM infrastructure to increased funding for key FAA programs.

Advanced Air Mobility
The omnibus bill implements the NATA-supported Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization (AAIM) Act, authorizing $25 million over two years for grants for the planning and construction of public-use vertiports or associated infrastructure, with individual grants worth up to $1 million. Eligible entities include airport sponsors, transit and port authorities, and state and local governments, with priority given to those who partner with relevant industry stakeholders. Twenty percent of funding is reserved for projects in rural areas. 

DOT and FAA Programs
With a 9.3 percent increase in non-defense domestic spending, the legislation funds critical programs such as aviation workforce grants and outreach, the testing of unleaded fuels for piston aircraft, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) grants, and other sustainability efforts through FAA’s CLEEN and ASCENT programs. It also protects the contract tower program and continues FAA authority over the air traffic control system. 

Aviation Funding
The omnibus spending bill allocates $11.9 billion for FAA operations – a $500 million increase over FY 2022. It also directs a total of $3.9 billion toward Grants-in-Aid for Airports, with up to $3.5 million to reimburse airport sponsors, ground service providers, and other airport tenants for financial losses incurred during a Presidential temporary flight restriction (TFR).

For general press inquiries, contact Shannon Chambers at 703-298-1347 or schambers@nata.aero. 

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has been the voice of aviation business for more than 80 years. Representing nearly 3,700 aviation businesses, NATA’s member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military and NATA serves as the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.