House Committee Approves Airport Construction Increase; Senate Action Pending

What happened: The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee June 15 unanimously advanced legislation that would reauthorize aviation programs for five years and provide the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) $4 billion annually– its first increase in 17 years. AIP grants allow airports to invest in core capital projects.

ARTBA weighed in with a June 13 letter supporting the increase and opposing an amendment to extend Buy America to aviation programs. The amendment was subsequently withdrawn. Details are in last week’s Newsline story.

The Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee June 12 introduced bipartisan aviation legislation that matched the House bill’s increase for AIP funds to $4 billion annually.

What’s next: The House is expected to consider its bill in July. Senate action in committee was scheduled for June 15, but later postponed.