FY 09 Budget Shortchanges Airport Infrastructure
Budget Will Result in Few Improvements and Increased Passenger Inconvenience
CONTACT:
Eileen Denne, edenne@aci-na.org, (202) 293-4537
Megan Miller, mmiller@aci-na.org, (202) 861-8080
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON (February 4, 2008) – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) today expressed its extreme disappointment in the Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 budget, concerned that airports are once again receiving inadequate funding for projects to improve the nation’s airport security and capacity infrastructure.
“Without increased funding, airports cannot fulfill their obligation to the flying public: to operate safe, secure and efficient facilities,” said ACI-NA President Greg Principato. “With delays and congestion at an all-time high, and a record one billion passengers expected in the skies by 2015, airports need to act now to improve capacity and their ability to handle ever-increasing numbers of air travelers. The Administration’s budget proposal will not allow for the kind of expansion that is vital to our aviation system.”
The Administration proposes almost $1 billion in cuts for FY 2009 in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The FY 09 proposed level of $2.75 billion is $765 million less than in 2008, and more than $1.1 billion below the $3.9 billion level proposed for the FAA reauthorization bill currently pending in Congress. While Federal AIP grants are critically important for all airports, these funds make up more than half of the capital budget for small airports.
The Administration’s FY 09 budget also would eliminate funding for the Small Community Air Service Program, as well as significantly reduce the Essential Air Service Program (EAS). “These programs are critical for small communities throughout this country,” said Principato.
“With the proposed cuts to next year’s budget, the Administration is virtually guaranteeing more congestion and delays to a system already stretched to its limit,” said Principato. “Increased investment in aviation infrastructure is desperately needed to keep our airport system running smoothly and safely.”
About ACI-NA:
The mission of Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) is to advocate policies and provide services that strengthen the ability of air carrier airports to serve their passengers, customers and communities. ACI-NA represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Nearly 400 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the five worldwide regions of Airports Council International.