House Sends FAA Reauthorization Legislation With Higher PFC Fees, Alliance Limitations

The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday voted in favor of the proposed Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2009 and sent the legislation to be considered by the U.S. Senate.

The House bill, sponsored by Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), aims "to authorize appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2010 through 2012, to improve aviation safety and capacity" and "to provide stable funding for the national aviation system," but also raises limits on passenger facility charges and places new limits on the granting of antitrust immunity for airlines to renewable three-year terms.

The House voted 277-136 to approve the legislation, which provides the authority to spend more than $130 million in each of the next three years for NextGen system development and demonstration programs. It also amends the airport improvement program to increase passenger facility charges, which can be imposed by an eligible agency to finance an eligible airport-related project, from $4 or $4.50 to as much as $7.

It also would require airlines within six months of the law's enactment to notify passengers about changes to flight status prior to boarding by e-mail or text message. It would prohibit passengers from using mobile devices for voice communications during flight.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood congratulated the House "for its quick action in approving a Federal Aviation Administration authorization bill, H.R. 915. Moving forward with reauthorization will support our important aviation programs, including aviation safety and NextGen, the FAA's program to modernize our nation's airspace. I urge the Senate to act quickly and look forward to working with Congress on legislation that will continue our progress in improving the safety and efficiency of the U.S. aviation system."