Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) $9.2 billion budget request for fiscal year 1994 represents a 3.5-percent increase over the fiscal year 1993 appropriation. This includes $2.5 billion for facilities and equipment; $4.6 billion for operations; $1.8 billion for grants-in-aid to airports; and $250 million for research, engineering, and development. This testimony discusses challenges FAA faces in ensuring the aviation system's safety, capacity, and efficiency. GAO also focuses on the status of FAA's air traffic control modernization program, work forces, airport development, and aviation security initiatives.