FAA Reauthorization Begins Anew

FAA reauthorization legislation that provides $70 billion to the agency over four years, including increased funding for NextGen air-traffic control modernization, is progressing through the United States Congress.

Introduced in the House Feb. 9, the spending bill provides $13.4 billion in funding for FAA’s Facilities and Equipment program, the primary vehicle for the agency’s Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) effort.

Sponsors of the reauthorization legislation, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., and Aviation Subcommittee chairman Jerry Costello, D-Ill., say the funding is sorely needed.

“Short-term funding extensions and continuing resolutions are delaying key NextGen and airport development capital projects,” Costello has said. “We need to get the FAA reauthorized.”

Included in the reauthorization bill is $353.6 million for the development of NextGen systems and $118 million for demonstration programs. Separately, the Obama administration has proposed spending $800 million on NextGen in the President’s Budget outline, released Feb. 26.