Shortly before leaving for winter recess, congressional leaders reached a budget agreement that could be good news for the FAA and other federal agencies. But many steps remain before funding for aviation programs is in the clear.
The budget deal, reached between Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), has sparked some confusion in the aviation world because it increases fees on air travel. The increase comes in the so-called 9-11 fee, essentially a per-ticket tax on commercial air travel that helps fund the Transportation Security Administration. The deal does not contain any user fees for general aviation. And while the president’s budget proposal is likely to once again recommend a $100-per-flight user fee for general aviation, opposition to the idea remains strong in Congress.
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