Megan Miller, mmiller@aci-na.org (202) 861-8080
Eileen Denne, edenne@aci-na.org (202) 293-4537
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACI-NA APPLAUDS CONGRESS FOR ENSURING AIP GRANTS AVAILABLE TO FUND SAFETY, SECURITY AND CAPACITY PROJECTS
WASHINGTON (February 14, 2008) – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) thanked Congress for passing H.R. 5270, which will allow Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants to be distributed to U.S. airports for vital safety, security, and capacity projects. In particular, ACI-NA recognized the work of leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure, House Ways and Means, Senate Commerce and Senate Finance Committees for addressing this issue before the February 29 extension deadline in the FY 08 Omnibus.
“We appreciate their understanding of the importance of providing AIP funding for the completion of taxiway painting and marking projects, the acquisition of needed aircraft rescue, firefighting and snow removal equipment, as well as construction of runway safety areas and runways,” said ACI-NA President Greg Principato.
H.R. 5270, the "Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2008" would extend FAA programs and taxes through June 30, 2008, and extend Airport Improvement Program (AIP) contract authority through September 30, 2008. As mandated by the FY 08 Omnibus bill, FAA programs and taxes were set to expire on February 29, 2008, and AIP contract authority had already expired on December 31, 2007.
“This is also a positive step towards completing a multi-year FAA reauthorization bill, which is a top priority for ACI-NA,” said Principato. “We look forward to working with Congressional leaders to pass a bill this year that enables our nation’s aviation system to grow and continue to provide safe, secure and efficient air travel to meet passenger and capacity demands.
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About ACI-NA:
Airports Council International - North America 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. Almost 400 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the five worldwide regions of Airports Council International.