National News

The transportation secretary said a dedicated funding stream could help modernize the nation’s air traffic control system.

The Essential Air Service helps maintain flights to rural communities that airlines might otherwise abandon.

Section 105 — currently included in the ALERT Act — is an anti-airport provision. This provision risks undermining aviation safety investigations and disrupting the funding framework that supports airport operations and critical safety infrastructure nationwide.

How flow, flexibility, and experience design enable airports to absorb mega-event surges.

Non-aeronautical revenue remains 9% below pre-pandemic levels. Strategic commercial partnerships can help close the gap.

Despite strong opposition from airports, the measure includes provisions from the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act (PAPA) that would prohibit airports from using ADS-B to assess takeoff or landing fees or impose any charge on aircraft operators or to institute investigations.

Some lobby groups are gearing up to fight against the subsidy cuts, which could prompt airlines to stop flying to some small communities.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has made $12 million available in this year’s round of funding for the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). Communities and/or consortia of communities interested in obtaining a federal competitive grant under the program to address air service and airfare issues in their communities are invited to apply. Applications are due by May 4.

“If pilots won’t pay what they owe, no technology ban will save the airports they depend on.“

Special Interests' Attack on Airport Funding Independence - allowing aircraft operators to "jump the turnstile" and avoid airport use fees