Privatize ATC?

Every few years, the law Congress uses to set the FAAs agenda and priorities expires, creating demand for a new aviation bill in Congress. The last one was enacted in 2012 but only after non-essential FAA functions were shut down when the previous version expired without an extension. That law expires this coming September 30, and Congress will be wrestling with options this summer.

Key Takeaways:

• Congress faces a deadline to pass a new FAA reauthorization bill, with the current law expiring on September 30.
• A controversial proposal to privatize the FAA's air traffic control (ATC) system is being seriously considered despite its rejection in the past.
• The article argues against privatization, asserting the current ATC system is effective and safe, and the real problem is congressional failure to update aviation excise taxes since 1997.
• Privatization is anticipated to be more expensive and create new bureaucracy, rather than solving the FAA's funding challenges.

Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->

See a mistake? Contact us.