WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Aviation Subcommittee will hold a hearing tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in SR 253 to review the proposed Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) reauthorization proposal released today. The Committee’s top Republican, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and the Ranking Member on the Aviation Subcommittee, Senator Trent Lott (R-Miss.), said they plan to thoroughly examine the proposal.  The FAA’s reauthorization measure is a three-year proposal to fund the FAA's many programs. Senator Stevens noted the need to move quickly because the current FAA authorization expires at the end of fiscal year 2007.

 

 

The FAA notes that passenger demand has returned to pre-September 11^th levels and commercial airlines in the United States expect to carry more than one billion passengers every year by 2015. The reauthorization contains a proposal for a new air traffic control system which will use satellite-based technologies that, according to the FAA, will handle more aircraft, maintain high levels of safety, reduce flight delays, and cut noise near airports.

 

The FAA proposal also contains language to allow the FAA to support the construction of new airport facilities including new air traffic control facilities, new runways, and new passenger terminals. The FAA also indicates that one of the most significant aspects of the proposal is the restructuring of the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC).  Additionally, the measure seeks to also eliminate the passenger ticket tax, but would replace it with a series of user fees imposed on airlines. An increase in passenger facility charges, which will go towards airport improvements, is also included in the measure.