NATA Statement on Senate Passage of FY2019 Transportation Appropriations Legislation

On August 1st the United States Senate approved a four-bill "minibus" spending package (H.R. 6147), including S. 3023, the Fiscal Year 2019 Transportation Appropriations bill. The legislation provides $17.7 billion in total budgetary resources for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fund the modernization of our nation’s air transportation system in the next fiscal year. The following is a statement by National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President Martin H. Hiller:

“NATA welcomes the Senate’s action on this essential legislation, which will provide the Federal Aviation Administration the funding needed to continue to modernize our nation’s air transportation system. The legislation supports the continued development and implementation of NextGen programs, dedicating $1 billion to the effort, and also provides $750 million in additional funding for airport improvements. Funding for these key initiatives will provide the FAA and industry the resources needed to maintain our status as the world leader in aviation safety and complexity."

“NATA appreciates the support of the Transportation Appropriations Committee to fund projects and programs important to the general aviation industry, including full funding for the Contract Tower Program and additional support for alternative fuels research. Language is also included, at NATA’s request, to improve the quality of Part 135 incident reporting data and to implement a top recommendation of the FAA’s Regulatory Consistency ARC to establish an electronic guidance library that eliminates outdated or conflicting policies. The hard work shown by congressional appropriators in passing this bill validates the importance of continued collaboration between the FAA and the general aviation community," Hiller stated.

NATA looks forward to further negotiations as the minibus package goes through the legislative process and will continue to represent the interests of the aviation business community. All twelve appropriations bills must be signed into law by September 30th.