Jim Ott of Aviation Week posed five questions to ACI-NA President Greg Principato on subjects ranging from airline baggage fees and airport expenditures on safety and security, to his thoughts on how Washington politics have changed over time. The last question queried Greg on his expectations on federal support for airports in 2010. Below is an excerpt from that question (for the full interview, Aviation Week subscribers can click here):
Airports: What are your expectations for the coming year in terms of federal support for airports?
Greg Principato: There are four things the government can do to best assist airports in the coming year:
1) Pass a multiyear FAA reauthorization bill with an increase in the Passenger Facility Charge to $7.50 and indexed to inflation, no changes to the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting standards, and improvement to the Airport Improvement Program (which is a critical source of funding for airport capital projects that enhance safety, security and capacity at smaller airports).
2) ACI-NA would like to see the two-year waiver in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the sale of new private activity bonds made permanent and increase the look-back period for refinancing of existing debt. AMT relief really has been the secret success of the stimulus bill.
3) ACI-NA looks for continuous support of modernizing and expanding aviation infrastructure — in terms of NextGen and airport facilities.
4) Finally, airports remain focused on maintaining an effective, multilayered security regime to protect the nation’s airports and aviation system activities.
J. P. Bellanca
/ January 13, 20101. Re-regulate airlines. Airlines should charge what is required to make a profit so they are not tempted to cheat on safety and maintenance.
2. Substantially increase AIP budgets and PFC charges.
3. Invest in PAX screening systems to minimize PAX hassle at airport security checkpoints.
4. Profile PAX. Stop political correctness excesses. Be concerned for PAX safety not PAX feelings.
5.