The Latest From Washington

Federal Alert

Security Policy Alert: CISA Conference Call on Apache Log4j Vulnerability

CISA hosted a broad sector stakeholder call for critical infrastructure partners on Monday, December 20, 2021 to discuss the Apache Log4J Vulnerability.

12/20/2021

Federal Alert

Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues Updated Security Directive for Face Mask Requirement

TSA has issued an updated Security Directive (SD) to reflect the extension of the face mask requirement for transportation through March 18, 2022.

12/20/2021

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: FAA Announces Deadlines on the Use of FY22 AIP Entitlement Funds

FAA announced deadlines for submitting a NOI and final grant application for the use of primary, cargo, and nonprimary entitlement funds that are available under AIP for FY22.

12/20/2021

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: FAA Announces $2.89 Billion in First-Year Airport Grant Awards Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

FAA announced that the agency will award $2.89 billion in grants to 3,075 airports across the country for fiscal year 2022 with funds that have been made available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which is being referred to...

12/16/2021

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: FAA Provides Update on Implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

FAA Office of Airports (ARP) provided a high-level briefing to AAAE and other aviation organizations, including their leadership teams, that covered the airport and aviation provisions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)...

12/16/2021

Federal Alert

Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues 2021 Winter Holiday Security Operations Plan

TSA has shared with AAAE its 2021 Winter Holiday -- Security Operations Plan, commonly referred to as a placemat.

12/16/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Senate Commerce Committee Advances Omnibus Tourism Bill

The House T&I Committee released allocation tables that identify each airport’s share of the $2.89 billion that will be made available to commercial and general aviation airports in FY22 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)...

12/15/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Senate Commerce Committee Advances Omnibus Tourism Bill

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee met to consider several nominations and legislative items. As part of that executive session, the Committee favorably approved the Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act of 2021...

12/15/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: GSA and DHS Suspend Actions to Enforce Executive Order on Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate

As previously reported, on December 7, 2021, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia issued a preliminary injunction which halts enforcement of the vaccine mandate for contractors and subcontractors nationwide.

12/09/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate Blocked and Senate to Vote on Large Employer Vaccine Mandate

There have been several notable developments this week on the Executive Order that required federal contractors and subcontractors to be fully vaccinated and the emergency temporary standard issued by OSHA that imposed new vaccine requirements for...

12/08/2021

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Updates to Airport Compliance Manual

FAA released updates to five chapters in FAA Order 5190.6B, known as the “Airport Compliance Manual,” which is an important reference document for airport sponsors on how they are expected to comply with federal grant assurances.

12/03/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Congress Extends Federal Funding Through February 18, Averting a Government Shutdown

The House and Senate passed a CR that extends funding for the federal gov't through Feb. 18 and provides additional funding for Afghan refugee resettlement.

12/02/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Face Mask Mandate Extended Until March 18, 2022

The White House announced new actions against the Delta and Omicron variants that include stronger public health protocols for international travel and extending the requirement for people to wear face masks in airports, on airplanes, trains, and...

12/02/2021

Federal Alert

Security Policy Alert: TSA Monthly Conference Call Summary for December 2021

TSA held its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders. The conference call was led by Alan Paterno, TSA's Airport Industry Engagement Manager in the office of Policy, Plans and Engagement (PPE).

12/02/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: COVID-19 Testing Timeframe for International Air Travelers Shortening to 24 Hours

The CDC informed AAAE that the U.S. government is in the process of amending their international air travel requirements to tighten the pre-departure testing timeframe to 24 hours, regardless of the traveler’s vaccination status, in response to...

12/01/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Transportation Committee Chair DeFazio to Retire

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and longtime proponent of raising the federal cap on local PFCs, will not be seeking re-election next year.

12/01/2021

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Updated FAQ Guidance for CRRSAA and ARPA Grants

FAA released updated FAQ documents that provide guidance for airport sponsors on how FAA administers the $2 billion in relief for airports and eligible concessionaires that was made available under CRRSAA, known as ACRGP...

11/29/2021

Federal Alert

Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues Final ASP Amendment Requiring Cyber Incident Reporting

TSA issued as final a national Airport Security Program amendment TSA-NA-21-05, Cyber Incident Reporting.

11/22/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Build Back Better Reconciliation Bill Clears the House

House Democrats were able to garner the necessary support to finally pass the $1.7 trillion Build Back Better (BBB) Act by a vote of 220-213.

11/19/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Signed Into Law, Unlocking $25 Billion in Airport and Aviation System Investment

At a White House ceremony, President Biden signed into law H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

11/15/2021

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: AAAE Outlines Questions to FAA Regarding Part 139 CertAlert on Response Planning for Unauthorized UAS Operations

AAAE directed a letter to the FAA) outlining a series of questions that have been raised by our airport members regarding the recently released Part 139 CertAlert that requires airports to update their AEPs to include instructions for responding...

11/12/2021

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: FAA Solicits Nominations for Appointment to the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg unveiled the U.S. Aviation Climate Action Plan (Plan), which outlines the federal government’s approach and policy framework to put the industry on a path toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

11/09/2021

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: FAA Solicits Nominations for Appointment to the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee

FAA issued a notice to solicit nominations for membership on the new Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee (AAAC), previously known as the Drone Advisory Committee (DAC).

11/09/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: House Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Measure Moves to President to be Signed into Law

After months of political gamesmanship, party infighting and numerous stalled efforts, tonight, the House finally passed the $550 billion Infrastructure and Investment Act, better known as the bipartisan infrastructure bill (BIB).

11/05/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Houses Passes the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act

The House passed with broad, bipartisan support, H.R. 1339, the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act, sponsored by Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Garret Graves (R-LA).

11/04/2021