Congresswoman Hirono Amendment to Ensure Hawaii Gets its Fair Share of Federal Airport Funds Adopted by House of Representatives

Press Release

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono's (D-Hawaii) today successfully advanced an amendment to H.R. 658, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 that changes federal law to ensure that Hawaii gets its full apportionment of yearly Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds.

"Air travel is the fastest and most effective means of transportation between our islands. It is the mode of transportation that we rely on most for moving goods and other cargo and even our daily mail," explained Congresswoman Hirono while testifying on the House floor. "It is because of the fundamental role air travel plays in the day-to-day lives and commerce of Hawaii that Congress saw fit to provide the state with this exemption."

"Today, with the partnership of Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, we were able to take an important step toward increasing federal funds for the State of Hawaii's Department of Transportation. It was through Congresswoman Hirono's efforts that the Department's initiative to amend the Passenger Facility Charge program was able to be adopted by placing partisan politics aside in the House. This amendment more importantly acknowledges our geographic challenges and provides equity in our airport improvement program that will result in approximately $6 million of additional federal funds to improve our statewide airport systems," said Director of Transportation Glenn Okimoto.

The House passed the FAA Reauthorization today. The next step for the bill is negotiations with the United States Senate.

Due to the importance of air travel in Hawaii, current federal law exempts Hawaii's airports from charging passenger facility fees (PFCs) to passengers on interisland flights. In general, PFCs are used to pay for capitol improvement projects at airports that collect them.

However, airports that charge these fees must give up 50 to 75 percent of their annual AIP funds which are provided to airports for the same purposes as PFCs under a formula set in law. The reason for this reduction is to limit "double dipping."

Most airports in the U.S. collect PFCs on 100 percent of the passengers passing through their airports. However, due to the exemption for interisland travel Hawaii collects PFCs on far less than 100 percent of the passengers that use our airports. This puts the state at a disadvantage under the current formula. Congresswoman Hirono's amendment fixes this so that Hawaii receives as much federal AIP funding as it is entitled to.

"The PFC exemption is important for Hawaii's residents. Without it, for many the daily commute would be unduly burdensome. It would be as if you, or any of your constituents, got in your car to go to work then had to pay $4.50 just to leave your driveway--and then had to pay another $4.50 upon your return," said Congresswoman Hirono.

There are 15 airports operated by the Hawaii Department of Transportation's Airports Division. The HDOT is responsible for maintaining safe and efficient facilities that accommodate approximately 25 million passengers a year.

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