The Latest From Washington

Airport Alert

Hearing Report: Buttigieg and Lawmakers Discuss Transportation Safety

During a hearing today where lawmakers focused on transportation safety, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg discussed the administration’s response to the recent bridge collapse in Baltimore and its plan to add 2,000 more air traffic controllers.

05/02/2024

Press Release: AAAE Elects Leaders for 2024-2025 at 96th Annual Conference & Exposition in Nashville

“AAAE is fortunate to have a group of exceptional airport executives who have pledged their time, energy, and talent to help guide the Association forward,” AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli said.

05/02/2024

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: White House Finalizes Significant Updates to NEPA Review Process

On April 30, the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released a final rule that makes a wide range of changes to the regulations that govern National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews.

05/01/2024

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: Lawmakers Reach Agreement on Final FAA Bill. Measure Calls for Increasing AIP to $4 Billion Annually

After months of delay, House and Senate transportation committee leaders early this morning unveiled a bipartisan and bicameral FAA reauthorization bill that would increase AIP funding to $4 billion annually, authorize $350 million to help airports transition to fluorine-free firefighting foam, and usher in a long list of policy changes to help airports of all sizes.

04/29/2024

Airport Alert

Airport Alert: AAAE Opposes Legislation to Prohibit TSA From Using Biometrics at Checkpoints

AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli sent a letter to House and Senate Committee leaders opposing the addition of provisions to the pending FAA reauthorization legislation that would prohibit or severely restrict TSA from using biometric facial matching technologies at their security checkpoints, including TSA’s Credential Authentication Technology (CAT).

04/26/2024

Airport Alert

Action Alert: Urge Your House Lawmakers to Support Aviation Security Funding Priorities Now

We urgently need your help to convince House of Representative lawmakers to fund our aviation security priorities.

04/25/2024

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: EPA Releases Rule to Designate PFOA/PFOS as Hazardous Substances Under CERCLA

On April 19, the EPA released a final rule that designates two PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), known as the Superfund law.

04/19/2024

Federal Alert

Action Alert: Urge Your House Lawmakers to Support Aviation Security Funding Priorities

We urgently need your help to convince House of Representative lawmakers to fund our aviation security priorities in the upcoming DHS appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 (FY25).

04/18/2024

Federal Alert

Hearing Report: TSA Administrator Testifies on FY25 Budget Request

On April 16, TSA Administrator David Pekoske testified before the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee about his fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget needs, which total $11.8 billion.

04/16/2024

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: FAA Seeks Airport Feedback on Noise Abatement Chart Updates

On April 15, the FAA released and requested comment on a draft document, “Noise Abatement Entries in the Chart Supplement (CS),” which includes proposed guidance to airports on how to communicate NAI to the pilot community through the CS.

04/15/2024

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: EPA Releases Updated Interim Guidance on PFAS Disposal & Destruction

On April 9, the EPA released updated interim guidance that outlines the latest data and research on different methodologies to dispose and destroy (D&D) PFAS and PFAS-containing products, including aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).

04/10/2024

Federal Alert

Hearing Report: DHS Secretary Testifies on FY25 Budget Priorities; TSA Briefly Discussed

On April 10, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified before the House and Senate DHS Appropriations Subcommittees about his fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget request.

04/10/2024

Regulatory Alert

Regulatory Alert: DOT Releases Final Rule to Update DBE and ACDBE Programs

On April 9, the DOT released a final rule that makes a wide range of changes and updates to the regulations governing the DBE Program and the ACDBE Program.

04/09/2024

Security Alert

Summary of TSA's Monthly Conference Call for Airport Stakeholders

On April 4, TSA held its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders.

04/05/2024

Regulatory Alert

FAA Announces Deadlines for Use of FY24 AIP Entitlement Funds

On April 3, the FAA announced the deadlines for submitting a notice of intent (NOI) and final grant application for the use of primary, cargo, and nonprimary entitlement funds that are available under the AIP for FY24.

04/04/2024

Security Alert

TSA Monthly Conference Call for Airport Stakeholders, Thursday, April 4, 2024, 1:00 p.m. ET

As a reminder, TSA will host its monthly conference call, Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

04/03/2024

Airport Alert

Input Needed: Please Complete Survey on LEO, Canines, and Exit Lane Costs

To help further bolster our arguments on Capitol Hill, we need your input about the costs and impacts of the loss of TSA funding for these important priorities.

04/01/2024

Regulatory Alert

FAA Releases Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY23 Supplemental Discretionary Grants

On March 29, the FAA released the NOFO that outlines how airports can apply for a share of approximately $268.7 million in fiscal year 2023 (FY23) supplemental discretionary grant funding.

03/29/2024

Airport Alert

Action Alert: Please Urge Your Lawmakers to Support Airport Priorities in FY25 Transportation Appropriations Bill

We need your help as we urge lawmakers to increase funding for the Airport Improvement Program, provide additional funding for supplemental discretionary grants, increase funding for the FAA Contract Tower Program, and adopt other airport priorities.

03/28/2024

Airport Alert

Action Alert: Airport Input Needed to Restore Funding For Key Aviation Security Programs in 2025

As Congress gears up for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) appropriations process, we need your help as we urge lawmakers to restore and maintain funding for critical airport priorities in the annual DHS spending bill.

03/26/2024

Airport Alert

Senate Clears FY24 Final DHS/TSA/CBP Spending Bill

After defeating several amendments, the Senate approved the second six-bill appropriations package that included funding for DHS, TSA, and U.S. CBP.

03/25/2024

Airport Alert

House Passes Omnibus Appropriations Bill With DHS/TSA/CBP Funding

On March 22, the House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 286-134, the $1.2 trillion omnibus appropriations bill under suspension of the rules, which required a two-thirds majority vote.

03/22/2024

Airport Alert

Action Alert: Please Urge Your Lawmakers to Support Airport Priorities in Final FAA Bill

AAAE and ACI-NA are urging airports to reach out to their lawmakers and encourage them to support airport priorities in the final FAA bill.

03/22/2024

Airport Alert

Final FY24 DHS Spending Bill Released; Mixed Results for Airports

On March 21, Congressional leaders released the second omnibus appropriations spending bill, totaling $1.2 trillion, that must be passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate before the end of the week.

03/21/2024

Security Alert

DHS SAFETY Act Briefing, Monday, March 25, 2 p.m. ET

As discussed on AAAE's Transportation Security Services Committee call, we have invited the DHS SAFETY Act office to provide an overview of the SAFETY Act and the application process to our airport members.

03/21/2024