March 9, 2016

ACI-NA: Scott Elmore, selmore@aci-na.org, (202) 861-8082

AAAE: Adam Snider, adam.snider@aaae.org, (703) 824-0500

Washington, DC  — Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) President and CEO Kevin M. Burke and American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) President and CEO Todd Hauptli today issued a joint statement following the release of The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson’s (D-FL) FAA reauthorization proposal: 

“It is unfortunate the Senate bill fails to include a long overdue adjustment to the local Passenger Facility Charge user fee, which would help airports finance essential safety, security, and capacity projects.  The modest proposed increase in federal investment for airport infrastructure is welcomed, but today’s legislation is a missed opportunity to make progress in promoting airline competition and getting Washington out of the way of local airport investment decisions by modernizing the local PFC user fee.  Because airports are drivers of economic growth for local communities, significant airport investment should be as much a priority for our elected officials as it is for the passengers we serve every day.  

“Moving forward, it is clear that both chambers have considerable work ahead to build a bipartisan, bicameral, comprehensive, and long-term reauthorization that modernizes airport financing, air traffic control, and the entire aviation industry.  A modernized PFC is essential to future airport development, and we will continue to advocate for its adoption as the debate on FAA reauthorization continues in the House and Senate.” 

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About AirportsUnited

AirportsUnited is a collaborative effort between Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) advocating for federal policies that strengthen our nation’s aviation infrastructure to meet the needs of today and the challenges of tomorrow. Together with our growing coalition of industry partners, AirportsUnited showcases the unity and resolve of airports across the country to enact our core policy goals, especially as we prepare for the upcoming FAA reauthorization debate in Congress. It also provides a platform for partners in our coalition to contact members of Congress and collectively lend their voices to our effort. Airports, contractors, vendors, retail establishments, restaurants, businesses, tourism groups, municipalities, and states all have a vested interest in ensuring that airports remain strong economic engines and job centers for their local communities. We have a great story to tell, and united we can share it.  Learn more at www.airportsunited.com.  

About ACI-NA
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America.  Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports.  Collectively, U.S. airports employ more than 1.3 million people and account for $1.2 trillion in economic activity—or seven percent of the total U.S. workforce and eight percent of GDP.  Canadian airports support 405,000 jobs and contribute C$35 billion to Canada’s GDP. Learn more at www.aci-na.org.  
 
About AAAE
Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world's largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE's 5,000-plus members represent some 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C., and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program.​ Learn more at www.aaae.org.