The Latest From Washington

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: FAA Reopens Comment Period for Airport SMS Rulemaking

FAA released a notice that the comment period for the rulemaking on airport SMS will be reopened for 30 days, allowing airports and industry stakeholders to comment on the original SNPRM that was released in 2016.

08/23/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Face Mask Requirement Extended Until January 18, 2022

TSA extended the Security Directive (SD) requiring masks in airports and on transportation conveyances through January 18, 2022.

08/20/2021

Federal Alert

Security Policy Alert: TSA to Issue Cyber Incident Reporting ASP Amendment for Comment

TSA has informed AAAE that the agency will post a proposed updated TSA National Amendment 14-01: Incidents and Suspicious Activities Reporting to HSIN tomorrow for a second round of notice and comment.

08/18/2021

Federal Alert

Security Policy Alert: DHS and DOT Secretaries Send Joint Message on Cybersecurity

DHS and DOT Secretaries issued a joint letter to the owners and operators of the transportation systems sector warning about the threat posed by malicious cyber actors and urging the transportation sector and critical infrastructure partners to take

08/17/2021

Federal Alert

Security Policy Alert: TSA To Issue Information Circular on Insider Threat

TSA held its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders on August 5, 2021. This alert summarizes highlights from the call.

08/16/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill; Uncertainty Remains in the House

After months of meticulous negotiations between a bipartisan group of senators and the White House, the Senate passed the five-year, $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. It now heads back to the House, where it faces a slew of uncertainty.

08/10/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Senate Infrastructure Bill Clears Important Hurdle on the Path Towards Final Passage

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIB) cleared yet another key procedural hurdle with a successful cloture vote on the substitute amendment containing the framework agreed upon between the White House and a bipartisan group of senators.

08/07/2021

Federal Alert

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

TSA held its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders on August 5, 2021. This alert summarizes highlights from the call.

08/05/2021

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: FAA Directs Letter to Commercial Service Airports on Unruly Passengers

FAA Administrator Steve Dickson directed a letter to Part 139 commercial service airports, requesting assistance in three areas to help manage the increasing number of unruly passenger incidents that have occurred this year.

08/05/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Legislative Text Released on Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

After weeks of negotiations, a bipartisan group of Senators tonight released the final legislative text of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package that includes $550 billion in new spending and $25 billion for aviation.

08/01/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: President Biden Announces Vaccination Requirements for Federal Employees and Contractors

President Biden announced several measures to increase vaccination rates among Americans and slow the spread of the coronavirus during a press conference.

07/29/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: House Approves FY22 DOT/FAA Spending Bill

The House of Representatives today approved a seven-bill minibus appropriations package that includes funding for DOT and FAA in FY22.

07/29/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: White House and Bipartisan Senate Group Come to an Agreement on Infrastructure Framework, Including $20 Billion for Airports

The Senate is likely to clear a key procedural hurdle to allow for debate and what supporters hope is eventual passage of the bipartisan infrastructure framework (BIF) after a group of Republican and Democratic Senators and the White House announce..

07/28/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: House Committee Approves Aviation Bills

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved two aviation-related bills including one to help promote the development of Advanced Air Mobility and another aimed at curbing foreign air carriers from exploiting “flags of convenience.”

07/28/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: House Committee Advances TSA and UAS Related Bills

The House Homeland Security Committee approved ten bills, including two related to TSA pay and security re-screening and one that prevents DHS from purchasing foreign-made unmanned aerial systems from China or other adversaries.

07/28/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: DOT Announces Small Community Air Service Grants

DOT announced that 22 communities in the same number of states will receive grants under the Small Community Air Service Development Program.

07/27/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Houses Passes PFAS Action Act With Airport Liability Exemption

The House passed H.R. 2467, the PFAS Action Act, by a vote of 241-183.

07/21/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Procedural Vote on Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework Fails As Expected in Senate

A procedural vote to begin debate on the bipartisan infrastructure framework expectedly failed by a vote of 49-51 almost entirely on party lines.

07/21/2021

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: AAAE Solicits Feedback on Airport Compatible Land Use Planning Draft FAA Advisory Circular

AAAE is distributing a survey to members to solicit feedback from the airport community on airport compatible land use planning and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) recently released Draft Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5190-4B...

07/20/2021

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: FAA to Host Live Qamp;amp;A Webinar on ARPA Concessions Rent Relief Grants

FAA will be hosting a webinar event on Thursday, July 22, at 2 p.m. ET to answer questions on Concessions Rent Relief Grants that have been made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

07/19/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: House Appropriations Committee Clears FY22 DOT/FAA Spending Bill

The House Appropriations Committee today approved a FY22 spending bill for DOT, HUD, and Related Agencies that proposes $3.35 billion for AIP, an additional $400 million for supplemental discretionary grants, and a $5.2 million increase for the FAA..

07/16/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: House Appropriations Committee Clears FY22 DHS/TSA/CBP Spending Bill

The full House Appropriations Committee approved, on a party-line vote of 33-24, the FY22 funding bill for DHS and component agencies, including TSA and CBP.

07/13/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: House Appropriations Subcommittee Approves FY22 DOT Spending Bill

The House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee approved a FY22 spending bill for the DOT that proposes $3.35 billion for AIP, an additional $400 million for supplemental discretionary grants, and a $5.2 million increase for the Contract Tower..

07/12/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: House Appropriations Committee Unveils FY22 DOT Spending Bill

The House Appropriations Committee released a Fiscal Year 2022 spending bill for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies that proposes $3.35 billion for AIP, an additional $400 million...

07/11/2021

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: AAAE Pushes for Safe Reopening of International Travel by July 15

AAAE joined 23 other aviation, travel, and tourism associations and the Chamber of Commerce in releasing a policy framework with recommendations on how to relax travel restrictions and safely reopen international travel.

07/07/2021