As of July 1, 2024, the Bahamas Customs & Excise Department has imposed substantial and egregious fees on pilots flying General Aviation aircraft on recreational flights. Pilots should be mindful of these new and additional fees before considering flying to the Bahamas. Read More
Get extra lift from AOPA. Start your free membership trial today! Click here

President Trump signs government funding bill

During a March 23 press conference at the White House, President Donald Trump signed a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill that will fund the federal government, including the FAA, through the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The omnibus bill also includes an FAA extension through Sept. 30. The current FAA extension was set to expire on March 31.

File photo of President Donald Trump by Joshua Roberts, Reuters.

The bill allocates $18 billion to the FAA—an increase of $1.6 billion from the 2017 enacted level of $16.4 billion. It provides $1.3 billion for NextGen programs, which is an increase of $239 million. The bill also provides $165 million for the federal contract tower program and $100 million to integrate drone policies.

In addition to the $3.35 billion for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), the bill provides an additional $1 billion in airport discretionary grants targeted at small and rural airports used mainly by general aviation pilots. Unlike AIP funds that require a local match, the government will cover 100 percent of the cost.

The FAA extension to Sept. 30 will give lawmakers time to hash out differences for a long-term, multi-year agency reauthorization. Controversial provisions have kept long-term FAA reauthorization from coming to fruition—most notably the push to “privatize” air traffic control operations. But after nearly two years and stiff opposition, the proposal was abandoned earlier this year.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), have both indicated plans to pass a long-term FAA funding reauthorization following this extension.

“Aviation is a cornerstone of the American economy, and modernizing our nation’s air traffic control system and investing in our nation’s airports are vital to protecting our aviation ecosystem and ensuring our skies remain the safest in the world,” said AOPA President Mark Baker.

AOPA Communications staff
AOPA Communications Staff are communicators who specialize in making aerospace, aviation and advocacy information relatable for all.
Topics: Advocacy, ATC Privatization, Airport Advocacy

Related Articles