Washington – Business Roundtable today welcomed the inclusion of an air traffic control (ATC) modernization provision as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill, which was introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA).
“Business Roundtable applauds Chairman Shuster for his leadership on the important issue of how best to manage the modernization of air traffic control in the United States,” said Business Roundtable President John Engler. “America deserves an air traffic control system that maintains U.S. global leadership in safety and leverages the much-needed advantages of modern technology. Chairman Shuster’s bill would create a system that delivers on that promise.”
Under the provisions of the bill, the federal government would charter a non-profit organization to manage air traffic control in the United States. The new organization would be able to efficiently adopt new technologies and increase system capacity. The FAA would continue to oversee aviation safety.
“During the past year of hearings and deliberations, stakeholders have gone on the record to express their concern that the status quo for our ATC system is unacceptable,” Engler continued. “Now is the moment to move forward into the 21st century and harness the full benefits of NextGen technologies, while improving operational safety and efficiency. Business leaders stand ready to work with Chairman Shuster and members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to advance this legislation.”
The non-profit organization would be supported by a fair funding system based on the cost of ATC services and would have access to capital markets to finance its growth. It would also benefit from a governance and management structure that ensures NextGen technologies are delivered in a timely manner – with stakeholder and employee involvement.
In 2016, Business Roundtable will focus on policies that lead to job creation and economic growth – national priorities that are inextricably linked. Our priorities reflect our collective business experience as CEOs of America’s leading companies, experience that tells us what it takes to build economic momentum for the United States in 2016 and beyond. To learn more about solutions to create jobs and grow the U.S. economy, visit www.businessroundtable.org/growth.