NBAA Welcomes House Passage of FAA Reauthorization

Contact: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org

Washington, DC, February 3, 2012 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today applauded approval by the U.S. House of Representatives for legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

“America’s aviation system is the world’s largest, safest and most efficient, and the passage of a long-term reauthorization bill for the FAA is the best way to make sure we retain our global leadership position in aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “The legislation passed by the House today provides the FAA with a roadmap for implementing a Next Generation Air Traffic System, so that we’ll be able to meet the aviation needs of the future. We commend the leaders in both the House and Senate whose continued commitment to getting an FAA reauthorization completed helped ensure its passage.”

The reauthorization bill authorizes $63 billion for FAA programs through 2015; the funding will actually be provided through the yearly appropriations process. The measure retains, at existing levels, the proven, efficient and effective fuel tax as the means for general aviation to pay for its use of the aviation system, instead of resorting to new, onerous user fees. The reauthorization package also provides for an incentive program to be developed to help operators obtain equipment for use in a “NextGen” system.

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

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