WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) last night voted in favor of passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, legislation that will provide long-term stability to an industry suffering in the struggling economy. The multi-year reauthorization bill will improve aviation safety, modernize the nation's air traffic control system, and make important investments in aviation infrastructure across the country.

“Aviation represents one of the most important components of Kansas’ economy, and as businesses struggle to emerge from the recession, the ability to plan for the future is necessary to successfully rebuild,” Sen. Moran said. “This multi-year reauthorization directs long-term federal aviation policy and provides stability by supporting jobs. Its long-overdue passage will also help modernize the aviation industry by directing resources toward new technology to make air travel safer and faster. I am also pleased that Congress once again rejected the user fee proposal, which would have been devastating to the general aviation community and south-central Kansas’ economy.”

Air transportation in Kansas is essential for business attraction and retention. Airports play a key role in economic development for many communities by enabling businesses to improve customer service and timely delivery of products to market.

The FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act would notably:

 

• Improve aviation safety;
• Improve safety for air emergency medical service operations by instituting new standardized dispatch procedures, and promote the use of updated terrain awareness systems and on board technology; and 
• Improve air service for rural communities.

Kansas is home to nearly 3,200 aviation and manufacturing businesses, including Cessna, Hawker-Beechcraft, Bombardier-Learjet, Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, Garmin, and Honeywell. Wichita was one of the first cities to establish a commitment to aircraft manufacturing, earning the title of “Air Capital of the United States” in the 1920s. When Congress began debating the FAA reauthorization bill nearly three years ago, more than 40,000 employees in Wichita and surrounding communities made their living building planes, manufacturing parts and servicing aviation. Unfortunately, due to rough economic conditions, aviation related jobs have dropped to under 25,000.
 
The FAA has operated under a series of 18 short-term extensions since 2007. The current short-term extension expires March 31. This multi-year reauthorization bill passed the U.S. Senate last year by a vote of 93-0 but failed to be taken up in the U.S. House of Representatives. The House must now work with the Senate to pass a multi-year reauthorization bill prior March 31 to prevent yet another short-term extension.