The Latest From Washington
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to Resign
Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao indicated that she will resign from her position, effective as of January 11, according to Washington Post, Politico, and other news outlets.
01/07/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: Five Senior Political Appointees at FAA to Resign
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that five senior political appointees of President Trump were resigning, effective as of Monday, January 11, in light of yesterday’s attacks at the Capitol, according to Reuters...
01/07/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: Summary of TSA's Monthly Conference Call for Airport Stakeholders
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).
01/07/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: 2020 AAAE Federal Affairs Annual Report
The AAAE Legislative, Regulatory, and Transportation Security & Facilitation teams are pleased to present you with the 2020 Federal Affairs Annual Report — in a brand new, interactive format.
01/05/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Provides Alternative Measure Template for ID Media Audit Flexibility
TSA has informed AAAE that Executive Assistant Administrator for Operations Support Stacey Fitzmaurice approved an ASP amendment template for temporary relief for ID media renewal requirements.
01/04/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: FAA Announces New Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program
The FAA announced the establishment of the “Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program” to distribute the $2 billion in funds that Congress approved as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.
12/31/2020
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues National Alternative Measure for SD 1542-04-08 Series
TSA has informed AAAE that Executive Assistant Administrator for Operational Support Stacey Fitzmaurice has signed a national Alternative Measure for the Security Directive series aimed at expediting the return of furloughed aviation workers.
12/31/2020
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: President Signs Coronavirus Relief/FY21 Omnibus Spending Bill Into Law, Including $2 Billion for Airports
After a few days of drama, the President signed into law H.R. 133, “an Act making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, providing coronavirus emergency response and relief, and for other purposes.”
12/29/2020
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: EPA Finalizes GHG Emissions Standards for Aircraft
Today the EPA released a final rule that establishes GHG emissions standards for engines that are used in subsonic jet and turboprop airplanes exceeding a certain max. takeoff weight.
12/28/2020
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Long-Awaited UAS Remote ID Final Rule
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a long-awaited final rule that requires remote identification (ID) technology for nearly all unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating in the national airspace.
12/28/2020
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Clears Coronavirus Relief/FY21 Omnibus, Sending Package to President
On Mon, Dec. 21, following House passage, the Senate on an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 91-7 has approved a massive 5,593-page bill that includes $900 billion in coronavirus relief and $1.4 trillion in funding for the federal government for FY 21
12/21/2020
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: U.S. Government Releases Updated Runway to Recovery Guidance and FAA Policy on Revenue Use for Health Screening Programs
A U.S. Government interagency group has released, “Runway to Recovery: The United States Framework for Airlines and Airports to Mitigate the Public Health Risks of Coronavirus” (Version 1.1)...
12/21/2020
Airport Affairs
House Clears Coronavirus Relief, FY21 Omnibus Spending Bill
The House overwhelming approved a massive 5,593-page bill that includes $900 billion in coronavirus relief and $1.4 trillion in funding for the federal government for Fiscal Year 2021.
12/21/2020
Airport Affairs
Action Alert: Lawmakers Unveil FY21 Omnibus Spending Bill
Lawmakers today unveiled a $1.4 trillion Fiscal Year 2021 omnibus appropriations package that includes $400 million in supplemental AIP funding; a $2.8 million increase for contract towers...
12/21/2020
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Lawmakers Release Details on COVID-19 Relief Deal; Plan Restores $2 Billion for Airports
After plans to eliminate proposed coronavirus relief funding for airports surfaced, Congressional leaders today unveiled the final details on a $900 billion coronavirus relief package that includes $2 billion for airports and concessionaires.
12/21/2020
Airport Affairs
Action Alert: Sunday Update: Deal on Broad Coronavirus Relief Package Reportedly Close at Hand
Late last night, House and Senate leaders negotiating a final $900 billion coronavirus relief package indicated that they are nearing a final agreement. We’re hearing from Capitol Hill that the final package may include funding for airports.
12/20/2020
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Lawmakers Restore $2 Billion for Airports; Reach Agreement on COVID-19 Relief Package
After plans to zero out funding for airports surfaced on Friday, Congressional leaders tonight reached an agreement on a $900 billion coronavirus relief package that includes $2 billion for airports and concessionaires.
12/20/2020
Airport Affairs
Action Alert: Saturday Afternoon Update: Coronavirus Relief Negotiations Nearing Completion; Keep The Calls Coming!
Thank you to all of you who have answered this morning’s “call to action” to try and salvage funding for airports as part of a final coronavirus relief package. It is clear that key offices are hearing from airports, but we have more work to do.
12/19/2020
Airport Affairs
Action Alert: Please Contact Your Congressional Offices TODAY! $4 Billion in Airport Funding on the Line
We need your help NOW to restore funding for airports as part of a coronavirus relief package that may be finalized as early as today. As it stands right now, we are OUT.
12/19/2020
Airport Affairs
Action Alert: Proposed Airport Funding in Jeopardy; We Need Your Help!
We're picking up reports from Capitol Hill that the $4 billion proposed for airports as part of the bipartisan and bicameral coronavirus relief package is in jeopardy of being eliminated.
12/18/2020
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: EPA Releases Interim Guidance on PFAS Disposal and Destruction
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released interim guidance on the disposal and destruction of PFAS and PFAS-containing products, including aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), in response to a congressional mandate included in the National
12/18/2020
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Guidance on Section 163 Implications for Airport Project Reviews
FAA released internal guidance on how the agency plans to review requests from airports that want to propose changes to their airport layout plans (ALP), particularly for non-aeronautical development purposes, in light of recent restrictions...
12/17/2020
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: President-Elect Biden to Nominate Michael Regan as EPA Administrator
President-elect Joe Biden will nominate Michael Regan to become Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to Politico and other news reports.
12/17/2020
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: AAAE Calls on Governors to Prioritize Frontline Aviation Workers In Next Round of Vaccine Distribution
AAAE joined with 20 other aviation associations and unions in requesting all 50 Governors prioritize frontline aviation workers as they develop their implementation plans for the next phase of vaccine distribution.
12/17/2020
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: President-Elect Biden to Nominate Pete Buttigieg to Head DOT
The Washington Post, Politico, and other news outlets are reporting that President-elect Joe Biden will nominate former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg to serve as Secretary of Transportation.
12/15/2020
