Congress Needs To Strengthen Small, Rural Airports

Press Release

Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) today supported H.R. 3607, legislation extending funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through December 31, ensuring funding will continue for the Essential Air Service (EAS), which provides air service to rural communities.

After the vote, Smith called on the Senate and House to pass a long-term reauthorization of the FAA which includes language ensuring funding remains at current levels for small, regional airports. The FAA has been operating on a string of short-term extensions, the most recent of which expires at the end of September.

Many airports utilize the FAA's Airport improvement Program (AIP) grants for capital improvement projects and safety enhancements. Airports which reach 10,000 boarders in a calendar year receive $1 million in grant funds, while airports boarding fewer than 10,000 passengers are eligible for $150,000.

"While this bill is a simple and necessary extension, the fact of the matter is Congress needs to pass a multi-year reauthorization of the FAA to promote stability to small, rural airports and the communities they serve. These airports play a key role in fighting the ‘brain drain' occurring in many areas of the country by attracting and retaining businesses dependent on commercial air service, to say nothing of the tourism dollars they bring in.

Smith has introduced H.R. 3159, the Small Airport Relief Act, legislation which would place a two-year moratorium on the FAA's boarding requirement, allowing airports which reached the threshold in calendar year 2008 - including the Nebraska communities of North Platte, Scottsbluff, and Kearney - to continue to receive their critical AIP funding.

"Fewer people are traveling by air, and airports which normally reach the 10,000 passenger threshold will be eligible for only a fraction of the funds for which they have budgeted," Smith said.

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