Sept. 17, 2021
NBAA welcomed news that the Massachusetts legislature has effectively terminated legislation that would have imposed a $1,000 landing fee on virtually all general aviation operations.
The legislature issued a study order for Senate bill 2305, which effectively means the bill will not move forward in this legislative session. NBAA aggressively opposed the bill, pointing out that the aviation industry has set aggressive climate goals, such as a 50% net reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050, compared to 2005 levels; and has made significant investments in sustainable aviation fuel, which has the potential to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
Additionally, NBAA contended this proposal went against federal law. Grant obligated airports must keep the revenue from landing fees on airport, and the proposed bill aimed to direct money to another fund.
“This is a significant win for us, but our work to continue to educate the legislature and guide them to a more sustainable future for the aviation industry will continue,” said Brittany Davies, NBAA’s Northeast regional representative. “This bill would have been detrimental to general aviation. We worked closely in partnership with both the Massachusetts Business Aviation Association (MBAA) and the Massachusetts Airport Management Association (MAMA) to prevent this bill from becoming law.”
A 2019 Massachusetts Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study found that aviation activity in the state was responsible for nearly 200,000 jobs and a total economic impact of $24.7 billion.
Davies said that passage of the bill, sponsored by Sen. Julian Cyr, would have set a damaging precedent for the industry, while ignoring the progress the industry has made in sustainability.
“MBAA, in collaboration with NBAA and the Massachusetts Airport Managers Association, was able to defuse any further action on this bill,” said Russ Arena, executive director of the Massachusetts Business Aviation Association. “It was great teamwork between the organizations.”
Added Thomas W. Hurley, executive director of the Massachusetts Airport Management Association: “We are pleased to see that this ill-conceived bill, which would have been devastating to Massachusetts’ 37 general use airports, will not move forward in the Massachusetts legislature. Rather, we would urge lawmakers and state and federal regulators to adequately fund our statewide airports to assure safety, economic and educational development and prepare for the new, sustainable technologies that are just around the corner.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.