ACI-NA Praises House of Representatives for Putting Passengers First

FAA Reauthorization Bill Will Help Airports Plan for the Future

CONTACT:
Eileen Denne, edenne@aci-na.aero (202) 293-4537

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 20, 2007) – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 2881, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2007, by a vote of 267 to 151. The bill includes a modest increase in the passenger facility charge (PFC) user fee cap from $4.50 to $7.00. PFCs fund important projects, such as the construction of new runways and terminals, which increase airport capacity, reduce delays and promote new competition.

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and its allies requested the $2.50 per segment increase in the PFC user fee to help airports build new infrastructure to meet the surging demand for air travel.

The following statement can be attributed to Gregory Principato, President of Airports Council International – North America:

"Airports Council International – North America applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007. Demand for air travel has stretched the nation's aviation infrastructure to its breaking point, and this bill will help passengers by providing airports the financing tools to build runways and expand terminals.

"Today's vote is an important step for today's frustrated and aggravated air travelers. The PFC cap increase included in H.R. 2881 will lead directly to decreased delays and increased competition. PFCs are one fee where the benefits for travelers are clear.

"As they consider this bill, ACI-NA strongly urges the Congressional conferees to consider the needs of passengers first and recognize that PFCs can provide an essential benefit to passengers for decades to come."

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.