Letter To Ms. Catherine M. Lang, Acting Associate Administrator For Airports, Federal Aviation Administration

Letter

Working to support rural airports in today's difficult economic climate, Nebraska Senators Ben Nelson and Mike Johanns sent a letter today to the Federal Aviation Administration calling on the FAA to "utilize all available discretion and funding flexibility to support rural airports." The economic slowdown could cause multiple Nebraska airports to fall below the threshold required to qualify for $1 million in federal assistance through the Airport Improvement Program in 2009.

"The economic crisis has hit rural airports hard," said Senator Ben Nelson. "These airports serve as economic engines and transportation hubs for rural communities. I am urging the FAA to continue to support these vital lifelines while passenger levels are expected to dip."

"The degree to which rural communities rely upon their airports cannot be overstated," Senator Johanns said. "They are an important part of economic development and represent critical infrastructure for farmers, businesses, and families across the state. In general, passenger levels have dropped and rural airports shouldn't be punished for falling below a specific threshold. I strongly advise the FAA to utilize all options to continue the support relied upon by rural airports."

The FAA's Airport Improvement Program, which provides infrastructure and security funding to rural airports, requires that all airports meet a 10,000 passengers/year threshold before qualifying for $1 million in federal funding. The FAA and Congress worked together to extend AIP funding to airports that dipped below that threshold in 2001 following a similarly steep decline in passengers after the September 11 terrorist attacks. A loss of AIP funding would stall airport improvements in many rural communities.

Senators Nelson and Johanns were joined by Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich, who also signed the letter.

The full text of the letter is below:

June 2, 2009

Ms. Catherine M. Lang
Acting Associate Administrator for Airports
Federal Aviation Adminstration
800 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20591-0004

Dear Ms. Lang:

We write to you today to express concerns we have with the impact our nation's current economic crisis may have on rural airports.

These rural airports serve as a critical economic engine for many smaller communities by connecting communities to business, providing economic development, and linking to the nation's transportation system. The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) has long served as a vital tool to these airports by providing funding for infrastructure and security improvements.

However, because of the current decline in ridership brought about by our economy's weakened condition, many rural airports that have shown consistent growth in enplanements will fall short of the 10,000 passenger threshold required to qualify for $1 million in AIP funding this year. The dramatic decline in funds for those who have historically met this benchmark could threaten airport improvements and the national system they support.

As you know, our nation's airports have been faced with a similar situation before. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, airplane ridership significantly decreased, resulting in many rural airports falling short of the 10,000 enplanement threshold, as they may this year. Consequently, Congress and the FAA worked to extend AIP funding for airports that had reached the 10,000 enplanement threshold the previous year.

In order to make sure airport development stays on track, we ask the FAA to utilize all available discretion and funding flexibility to support rural airports. We believe a similar approach to the actions put forth in Vision 100: Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108?176) regarding the adoption of temporary AIP enplanement requirements is once again appropriate.

We look forward to receiving your response and working with you to address this issue.

Sincerely,

E. Benjamin Nelson Mike Johanns
United States Senator United States Senator

Lisa Murkowski Mark Begich
United States Senator United States Senator

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