'Timely' Reauthorization Of FAA Urged

The “timely reauthorization” of FAA by Congress is critical to maintaining progress toward the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

FAA authorization legislation expired in October 2007, the end of that fiscal year. The agency since then has been operating under funding extensions and continuing resolutions. Excise taxes that fund the Airport and Airway Trust Fund also expired at the end of fiscal 2007, but were extended last year under continuing resolutions.

Legislation in the U.S. House, H.R. 915, has been reintroduced to provide funding for FAA through 2012.

In a study dated Feb. 11, GAO said FAA faces multiple challenges of transitioning to NextGen, improving safety oversight, reducing congestion, addressing environmental impacts and retaining a sufficient work force of air-traffic controllers.

“Short-term funding extensions and continuing resolutions could delay key capital projects,” GAO states. “Timely reauthorization is critical to sustaining FAA’s current programs and advancing NextGen.”