Chairman Bill Shuster’s (R-PA) 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (AIRR Act) was approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last week with a 32-25 vote, and it will now move on to a vote on the House floor. It’s a significant step forward for Shuster’s push for ATC privatization, as his similar 2016 bill failed to pass committee, and some of his previous opponents now support this new version. Most notably, House General Aviation Caucus Co-Chairman Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) is co-sponsoring the AIRR Act after voting against Shuster’s 2016 effort.
ATC Privatization Continues to Find Opposition Among Aviation Groups and Politicians
Key Takeaways:
- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the AIRR Act, which proposes privatizing air traffic control (ATC) by handing it over to a non-profit corporation, and it will now move to a vote on the House floor.
- The bill faces strong opposition from general aviation (GA) groups, including AOPA and GAMA, who argue that privatization would create an unregulated monopoly detrimental to GA, reduce rural access, and that current system modernization within the FAA is a better approach.
- Despite support from some groups like Airlines for America, NATCA, and ALPA, the House bill contradicts a competing Senate FAA reauthorization plan that advanced out of committee and excludes ATC privatization, which is favored by many aviation organizations.
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