Senate To Mark Up Bill Protecting AIP, EAS

Regional Aviation News
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Senate To Mark Up Bill Protecting AIP, EAS

April 11, 2003

A bipartisan bill that would set up a separate fund to help airports pay for security costs and fund the Essential Air Service program at $113 million a year through 2006 is expected to head for markup by early May. The provisions fall under S. 842, the Aviation Investment and Revitalization Vision Act introduced this week by Senate Commerce Chair John McCain (R-Ariz.), Ranking Member Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.), Aviation Subcommittee Chair Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Ranking Subcommittee Member John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.).

Under the bill, the DOT would establish an Aviation Security Capital Fund for $500 million for each fiscal year from 2004 through 2007 coming from various fee sources. Forty percent would be for hub airports, 20% for medium hub airports, 15% for small and non-hub airports and 25% would be distributed at the DOT Secretary’s discretion. The bill also reauthorizes the EAS program at current levels over the next three fiscal years and extends three years the small community air service development pilot program at $27.5 million. Rockefeller said he looked forward to developing a strong bipartisan bill in coming weeks that “improves the quality of air service to our smallest and most isolated communities, which are often our poorest as well.” -DM

Source: Aviation Daily, April 11, 2003