ACC News and Updates
April 15, 2021
The House and Senate Republicans are reportedly discussing options to counter President Biden's comprehensive $2 trillion American Jobs Plan proposal. Republicans are looking at a scaled-down measure that could provide $600 - $800 billion in “core” infrastructure funding. "What I'd like to do is get back to what I consider the regular definition of infrastructure in terms of job creation. So that's roads, bridges, ports, airports, including broadband into that, water infrastructure," said Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, during an interview with CNBC Wednesday. In the meantime, Democrats are considering options to move a more comprehensive infrastructure package, including possibly using a budget reconciliation as a means to secure a simple majority vote in the Senate.
Read the full article here .
Details on Biden Plan for Airports Available
April 8, 2021
Details on the specific infrastructure spending levels in the
American Jobs Act were circulated in Washington this week. According to a two-page summary, of the $25 billion proposed for airports, $10 billion would be provided under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), $10 billion for "
a new program to support terminal renovations and multimodal connections for affordable, convenient, car-free access to air travel," and $5 billion for FAA National Airspace System Facilities. Discussions continue on Capitol Hill regarding the approach Democrats will take on moving an infrastructure spending package forward, including possibly using a budget reconciliation process that would require a simple majority vote in the Senate.
Read the full article here.
Biden Infrastructure Plan Proposes $25 Billion for Airports
April 4, 2021
This week President Biden unveiled his eight-year, $2 trillion American Jobs Act which invests $620 billion in transportation. His proposal includes $25 billion for airports, "including funding for the Airport Improvement Program, upgrades to FAA assets that ensure safe and efficient air travel, and a new program to support terminal renovations and multimodal connections for affordable, convenient, car-free access to air travel."
Read the full article here.
ACI-NA Finds $115 Billion in Post-COVID Airport Needs
March 18, 2021
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) unveiled its
2021Infrastructure Report this week, which identified $115 billion in planning and infrastructure projects needed at U.S. airports over the next five years. "Instead of investing in larger, high-impact projects that would modernize facilities and increase capacity, airports have been forced to prioritize smaller, immediate needs like maintenance of aging structures and systems," the report states. ACI notes that the chronic underfunding of airport capital projects has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with airports expecting to lose $40 billion in revenues that help fund operations and projects. ACI calls for modernizing the PFC program by raising the cap and notes the critical importance airports will play in economic recovery from the pandemic. The ACC Advocacy Committee is hosting a Washington Update webinar for members on Friday, March 19 at 11:30 EDT to discuss the report and other activities in Congress.
FAA Releases Guidance on $2 Billion Grant Program for Airports
February 18, 2021
ACC joined other airport and airline stakeholders in a briefing with FAA on the release of $2 billion in funding under the new Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program (ACRGP). The funding was made available under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA), which was signed into law on December 27. The FAA issued a
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document providing guidance to sponsors on grant eligibilities and the application process. FAA has set a deadline of June 30, 2021 for grant applications. Learn more about the FAA Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program
here .
House Ready to Clear COVID Bill with $8 Billion for Airports
February 11, 2021
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee this week approved $42.5 billion in transportation funding under a new $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. Airports would receive $8 billion through AIP, to remain available until Sept. 30, 2024. A total of $6.5 billion is for primary airports; $608 million to increase the federal share of regular FY 2020 and FY 2021 AIP grants to 100 percent; $100 million for non-primary airports; and $800 million for sponsors to provide relief to airport concessionaires. The proposal will go to the House Budget Committee and then to the House floor for a vote in the coming weeks.
Read the full article here.
ACC Offers Support to New USDOT Secretary Buttigieg in Post-Pandemic Rebuilding
February 4, 2021
After being confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, ACC sent
a letter to U.S. DOT Secretary Peter Buttigieg, offering support in helping to recover from the pandemic. "The slowdown in air travel poses a risk to airports and local economies, but also provides a unique opportunity to accelerate airport economic development, restore planned projects, and initiate critical new airport capital planning and projects," said ACC President T.J. Schulz. "Stimulus investment in airports will alleviate the recent financial impacts of the global pandemic and ensure our airports continue to operate safely and securely." ACC presented six specific recommendations on how to stimulate the economy through rebuilding airport infrastructure.