SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE MOVES FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 8, 2024—The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, led by Chair Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), passed the FAA reauthorization with a host of amendments that address operations across the entire aviation system, from commercial air travel to general aviation.
Moving the bill forward is a crucial and long-awaited step toward securing long-term funding for the FAA, and movement on efforts related to modernization, employment, and safety. This was the committee’s second attempt at advancing the legislation, having failed to do so in June 2023.
Approximately eighty amendments were bundled together and approved by voice vote. One of those amendments, offered by Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), struck language in the underlying bill that would have required public-use airports to charge fair and reasonable parking fees and make them transparent. Instead, Senator Fischer’s amendment calls for a GAO study on airport parking fee transparency. In Washington, D.C., a “study” is called a punt or a kick the can down the road solution, which is why Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) offered an amendment to essentially reinstate the original text.
“As a general aviation pilot, I’ve seen and heard from aviators who have experienced sky-high charges for airport services that they don’t need. Affordable services should be available to small planes as well. My amendment increases access for more pilots at taxpayer-supported airports, and I hope it will be included in the conference negotiations,” said Senator Budd, a member of the Commerce Committee.
AOPA and more than 600 active pilot organizations from across the country rallied behind Budd’s amendment, but the committee did not consider it mainly due to a misinformation campaign led by airport and FBO interests in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, public-use airports and businesses at those airports will continue to charge pilots outrageous fees without consequence, like being seen at the upcoming Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
And without proper oversight from the FAA to enforce current rules with respect to egregious airport parking fees—such as $3,000 up to $15,000 “Special Event Fees” on top of already high fees being charged by large chain businesses operating on public-use airports—this problem will only grow and will have a detrimental impact on the future of general aviation.
Budd remains committed to continuing to work to find a solution for these high fees as this legislation moves forward.
“AOPA is grateful for the tireless work that Senators Cantwell and Cruz have put forth to ensure this bill will allow the FAA to continue to keep our airspace the safest in the world,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. "We remain very supportive of Senator Budd’s efforts to fight for fair, reasonable, and transparent fees at our nation’s taxpayer-supported airports. We are seeing these public-use airports being privatized right in front of us and the federal government is just letting it happen. Our aviation system only works when we work together. These pricing models and continued consolidation by some large chain FBOs are shortsighted and will drive folks away from aviation. We’ll keep fighting for what is right so everyone can enjoy the freedom to fly.”
It is unclear when the full Senate will take up the bill. The House passed its FAA reauthorization bill in a bipartisan and overwhelming 351-69 vote in July.
