House committee approves FAA spending bill

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved a bill that would hand $70 billion over to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Funding would start in 2009 and run through FY 2012. The measure includes $16.2 billion for the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program. The AIP would receive $3.9 billion in 2009 and as much as $4.2 billion in 2012.

Airports also would be able to increase the maximum passenger facility charge from $4.50 to $7 per flight.

On March 6, Airports Council International-North America released a survey that marks the nation’s airports needs at $94.3 billion over the next five years, up 8% from the same survey that was conducted in 2007.

The temporary FAA authorization will lapse on March 31, and Washington insiders believe another funding extension is likely.