PhillyTablet Inquirer Daily News
Mobile
Home Delivery
philly.com
email
font size
comments
0
options
 
Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Senate expected to act this week to reauthorize the FAA

When it comes to transportation issues, Congress often shows a lot more of the bipartisan spirit that was once fairly common in Washington (OK, you need to have a long memory to recall those days). This week, the Senate appears poised to actually vote on a bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, after almost two years of continuing resolutions that kept funding the agency but postponed formal reauthorization.

 According to the an article in the trade paper Aviation Week, the Senate bill would authorize FAA funding (precise amount comes in the appropriation process, which comes next); increaseas investment in NextGen, the next-generation air-traffic and navigation system of the future; and "adresses a range of safety, research, environmental, consumer protection and other issues. The aviation fuel taxes would be extended through 2013, and the tax on jet fuel would increase to 35.9 cents per gallon," AvWeek says. The House has passed a similar FAA bill; the Senate and House versions would have to be reconciled by a conference committee.

Among provisions in the bill in the Senate are three amendments by Sen. Bob Menendez, the New Jersey Democrat, that deal with consumer or regional noise issues. One, which Menendez  first introduced as the Clear Airfares Act, will require airlines to provide clear information about fees and surcharges that are going to be added to fares before a customer pushes the button to buy a ticket. This seems like a  very good idea since airlines are inconsistent when it comes to telling you what it's really going to cost.

Another amendment would require FAA to study the noise impact of the Philadelphia/New York/ New Jersey airspace redesign, the program that sends many flights departing PHL over  Delaware County and South Jersey communities. FAA only estimated what the noise levels would be before it implemented the plan.  Menendez' third amendment would require FAA to study the issue of pilot distraction in the cockpit; already included in the bill is a measure he co-sponsored banning us of non-essential electronics in airline cockpits.

I will update you on the legislative process as the news oozes beyond the Capital Beltway.

 
Posted by Tom Belden @ 6:03 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Comments   


0 comments
About Tom Belden
Tom Belden has been reporting about Philadelphia International Airport and other air travel subjects for more than 20 years, writing columns for The Inquirer's Travel and Business sections. His reporting (with colleague Craig McCoy) on baggage handling problems in Philadelphia have been credited with helping to improve the system. His previous blog was called Road Warrior. He can reached at tbelden@phillynews.com.
Advertise Here