The Latest Airport Legislation from Washington
Airport Alert
Airport Alert: Senate Committee Approves Two Aviation Safety Bills
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee approves two bipartisan aviation safety bills including one aimed at improving airport movement area driver training and another that would require the FAA to equip contract towers with Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRT) that lack STARs radar displays.
09/16/2026
Airport Alert
Hearing Report: FAA Administrator Bedford Appears Before House Funding Panel to Discuss ATC Modernization
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford appears before the House funding subcommittee responsible for writing the agency’s annual budget.
09/15/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases $1.1 Billion in FY26 AIP Grants for Projects at Over 223 Airports
FAA releases a list of $1.1 billion in infrastructure grant awards as part of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
09/14/2026
Airport Alert
Airport Alert: AAAE Submits Comments on Interim Final Rule on C-UAS Detection and Mitigation Authorities
AAAE submits comments in response to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice’s interim final rule, “Counter-UAS Authority for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) Law Enforcement Agencies and Correctional Agencies.
09/08/2026
Airport Alert
Airport Alert: House Passes Continuing Resolution to Fund Federal Government Until December 11
The House passes the Senate-approved continuing resolution to fund the federal government until December 11.
09/01/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: FAA to Host Industry Day on Private Investment in Airports
FAA announces that the agency will host an industry day event, “America’s Airports: Unleashing Private Investment,” to discuss opportunities for airport sponsors to utilize private investment to fund airport infrastructure projects.
08/21/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases RFI on Space Infrastructure Development and Launch Corridors
FAA releases a request for information (RFI) to solicit feedback from the public on the siting of new spaceports (more formally known as launch and reentry sites) and the development and use of prioritized airspace for “critical space launch corridors.”
08/21/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases $615 Million in FY26 AIP Grants for Projects at Over 232 Airports
FAA releases a list of $615.4 million in infrastructure grant awards as part of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Airport Improvement Program.
08/20/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: AAAE Submits Comments on Draft FAA AIP Handbook
AAAE submits comments in response to the Federal Aviation Administration’s draft Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Handbook, also known as FAA Order 5100.38E.
08/18/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: D.C. Circuit Affirms EPA’s Rule Designating PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA Hazardous Substances
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issues a unanimous decision affirming a Biden-era rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that designated two PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
08/18/2026
Airport Alert
Airport Alert: TSA Deputy Administrator McNeill Departing
Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill announces that she will be departing from the Transportation Security Administration on September 3.
08/12/2026
Airport Alert
Airport Alert: Senate Passes Measure to Fund Federal Government Until December 11
The Senate passes a bipartisan continuing resolution that would fund the federal government until December 11.
08/08/2026
Airport Alert
Airport Alert: Senate Confirmed David Cummins to be TSA Administrator
The Senate confirms David Cummins on a vote of 51-47 to be the eighth Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.
08/07/2026
Security Alert
AAAE Security Policy Alert: Summary of TSA's August Conference Call for Airport Stakeholders
TSA holds its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders. The conference call was led by Karin Glasgow, Industry Engagement Manager for Airlines in the office of Strategy, Policy & Engagement.
08/06/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau Plans to Depart Agency
FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau announces that he will be departing the agency after next week.
07/30/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Final Rule on Aircraft Altimeter Retrofit Requirements
FAA releases a final rule that requires all legacy aircraft equipped with radio altimeters to upgrade or retrofit their altimeters to ensure they can withstand potential interference from 5G and other advanced wireless signals.
07/25/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: FAA Reopens Nominations for Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee
FAA issues a notice soliciting nominations for membership on the Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee.
07/21/2026
Airport Alert
Airport Alert: House Passes Measure to Fund Government Through December 4
In an unusual move with some 10 weeks remaining before the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1, House Republican leaders have successfully passed a “clean” continuing resolution (CR) that would provide federal funding through December 4.
07/21/2026
Airport Alert
Hearing Report: TSA Nominee Cummins Hearing Focused on Personnel, Privatization, and Technology
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee holds a nomination hearing for David Cummins, who has been recommended to be the eighth TSA Administrator.
07/16/2026
Airport Alert
Airport Alert: House Passes TSA Bills to Strengthen Security and Improve Efficiency
Under a fast-track procedure to advance noncontroversial pieces of legislation, the House of Representatives approves three Transportation Security Administration-related bills aimed at strengthening aviation security, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing the passenger experience.
07/13/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: FAA Solicits Nominations for Appointment to the Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee
FAA issues a notice to solicit nominations for members to serve on the new Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee (ANAC).
07/10/2026
Security Alert
Security Policy Alert: Summary of TSA's July Conference Call for Airport Stakeholders
TSA holds its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders.
07/09/2026
Security Alert
Security Policy Alert: Counter UAS Operations for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Law Enforcement Operations Interim Final Rule Issued
The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security collectively issue an interim final rule to codify the framework for implementing the SAFER SKIES Act.
07/06/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases $1.1 Billion in FY26 AIP Grants for Projects at Over 382 Airports
FAA releases a list of nearly $1.1 billion in infrastructure grant awards as part of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Airport Improvement Program (AIP), including $640.4 million in entitlement grants and $451.2 million in discretionary grants.
07/01/2026
Regulatory Alert
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Proposed Rule to Enable Supersonic Flight Over Land
FAA releases a proposed rule that would rescind the longstanding prohibition on civil supersonic flight over land and allow the next generation of aircraft being developed by companies like Boom to operate at supersonic speeds if certain requirements are met.
06/30/2026
