The Latest From Washington
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: DHS Deputy Secretary Confirmed Permitting Pekoske to Return to TSA
The Senate confirmed John Tien as the Deputy Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Once he is sworn in, David Pekoske, who has been serving as the Acting Deputy Secretary since February 2, 2021, will return to TSA where he serves..
06/17/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Committee Rejects Proposal to Repeal Federal Mask Mandate in Transportation
The Senate Commerce Committee approved its sections of a surface transportation authorization bill, and during consideration of the measure rejected an amendment that called for repealing the federal mask mandate in transportation hubs.
06/16/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: House Approves Early Incentive Bill
The House of Representatives today approved a bill by voice vote that would allow airports to use Airport Improvement Program funds for early incentive payments – a proposal long backed by AAAE and ACI-NA.
06/15/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues Bulletin Addressing STA Processing Delays
TSA has posted a bulletin on the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) addressing the increase in Security Threat Assessment (STA) processing times.
06/14/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues Updated FAQ on Face Mask SD
As anticipated, TSA has issued an updated Frequently Asked Questions document regarding the Security Directives implementing face mask requirements in and on airports and on aircraft.
06/11/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases FAQ Guidance for Airport Rescue Grants
The Federal Aviation Administration released a frequently asked questions document that provides guidance for airport sponsors on how FAA will administer the $8 billion in Airport Rescue Grants.
06/11/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Key, Bipartisan Group of Senators Releases Details of Yet Another Infrastructure Plan
Following the collapse of bipartisan talks earlier this week between President Biden and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), a bipartisan group of five Democratic and five Republican Senators released their opening offer in ongoing...
06/10/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: CDC Issues Revised Face Mask Requirements for Outdoor Spaces at Airports
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it will be amending its face mask Order so that people are not required to wear a mask while outdoors...
06/10/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Announces New UAS BVLOS Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee
Administrator Steve Dickson announced that the FAA is forming a new UAS BVLOS Operations ARC to develop recommendations for the agency on a regulatory framework to enable more routine BVLOS operations.
06/09/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Infrastructure Negotiations with GOP Break Down —New Proposals Now Enter the Mix
Bipartisan negotiations on infrastructure between the White House and a group of Senate Republicans led by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) reached an impasse, with both sides pointing fingers at one another...
06/09/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Announces Shannetta Griffin as New Associate Administrator for Airports
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E., is the agency’s new Associate Administrator for the Office of Airports.
06/08/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Monthly Conference Call Summary for June 2021
TSA held its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders, led by Alan Paterno, TSA's Airport Industry Engagement Manager in the office of Policy, Plans and Engagement (PPE). This alert summarizes highlights from the call.
06/03/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Biden Administration Releases FY22 Budget Request
The Biden Administration released a $6 trillion budget request for Fiscal Year 2022 that proposes funding for a long list of airport-related initiatives in DOT and DHS.
05/28/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Republicans Unveil Infrastructure Roadmap in Latest Back and Forth with White House
Senate Republicans released their latest offer in the ongoing bipartisan negotiations on infrastructure.
05/27/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Committee Approves 5-Year Surface Transportation Bill
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approved a 5-year surface transportation bill that proposes to open the door for airports to use federal loans and loan guarantees for a wider variety of infrastructure projects.
05/26/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Downgrades Safety Rating for Mexico's Civil Aviation Authority
FAA announced that Mexico’s civil aviation authority, Agencia Federal de Aviacion Civil (AFAC), does not meet the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) minimum safety standards and, therefore, Mexico’s safety rating has been downgraded..
05/25/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Biden-Harris Team Releases Its Counterproposal for Infrastructure Negotiations
As bipartisan negotiations between the White House and Senate Republicans close in on the Memorial Day deadline set by President Biden, the Biden-Harris team released its counterproposal to the $568 billion Republican framework for infrastructure.
05/21/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Lawmakers Propose to Expand TIFIA For Airports, Reinstate Bond Options to Help Finance Infrastructure
Lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation that would expand TIFIA for more airport-related projects. Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats are exploring other financing options that could help airports build their infrastructure projects.
05/20/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Bill to Expand Deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Introduced in the House
Reps. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Dan Kildee (D-MI) and Julia Brownley (D-CA) today introduced legislation that seeks to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation sector by increasing the production and uptake of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), while...
05/20/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: TSA and DOT Issue Joint Statement on Continued Mask Mandate for Transportation
CDC, TSA and DOT issued a joint statement to clarify that mask requirements remain in place for airports, air carriers, and surface transportation.
05/14/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: DOT Announces $898.9 Million in AIP Grants for 447 Airports
DOT announced the award of $898.9 million in airport infrastructure and safety grants as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
05/13/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Committee Advances COVID-Related and Advanced Air Mobility Legislation
The Senate Commerce Committee met to consider several bills today including two COVID-related bills and one AAM bill. All three bills were favorably reported out of Committee by voice vote and will now advance to the full Senate for...
05/12/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Solicits Pre-Applications for Airport Environmental Mitigation Pilot Program
FAA released a notice soliciting pre-applications from eligible airports to participate in the agency’s “Airport Environmental Mitigation Pilot Program,” which provides federal grants for projects that will measurably reduce or mitigate aviation...
05/07/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Monthly Conference Call Summary for May 2021
TSA held its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders, led by Alan Paterno, TSA's Airport Industry Engagement Manager in the office of Policy, Plans and Engagement (PPE). This alert summarizes highlights from the call.
05/06/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Monthly Call Reminder, Information Requested on National Alternative Measure 1542-20-03, and ACC Webinar on PARAS 0028
TSA plans to discuss several items on tomorrow's call, including recent updates to the HSIN, REAL ID, the Rap Back program, a Compliance update, a Safe Skies update, and policy updates, including the status of the National AM 1542-20-03B, which...
05/05/2021
