ATC Privatization Fight Still Alive, NBAA Officials Tell Industry Groups

Jan. 22, 2018

The threat of ATC privatization hasn’t dissipated, and the entire general aviation (GA) community is needed to mobilize in 2018 to defeat the proposal in Congress, NBAA government affairs officials told two regional business aviation groups last week.

At a meeting of the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA) on Jan. 17, NBAA’s Vice President for Government Affairs Christa Lucas thanked the attendees for all their help in contacting their elected officials last year, noting “ we wouldn’t have gotten here without all of you. We had a huge year in 2017, as the GA community responded by making their voices heard via calls, emails, tweets, personal meetings and more.

“But we can’t stop, because the fight continues,” she added.

Lucas also talked to the group about some of the provisions in the new congressional tax package that are beneficial to business aviation, including immediate expensing for both new and used aircraft, something NBAA had fought for.

Dick Doubrava, NBAA’s vice president for government affairs, spoke to the annual membership meeting of the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA) on Jan. 18, and asked CABA members to stay vigilant and continue contacting their congressional representatives regarding the ATC privatization proposal.

The ATC Not For Sale website and the 833-GA-Voice phone line have been specifically set up to make contacting Congress simple and quick, said Doubrava.

“A bill that is structured to give control of the ATC system, its resources and revenues to a board dominated by airline interests – without congressional oversight that is responsive to its constituents – is not good for business aviation and the airports and communities it supports,” said Doubrava.

Both NBAA officials noted in their presentations that even though the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Bill Shuster (R-9-PA), will be retiring at the end of the congressional term, he is still committed to raising the support necessary to pass his privatization bill.

“He is still pushing hard for the legislation, so we have to work even harder and not turn our backs on it,” said Lucas.