ACI-NA Praises House of Representatives for Putting Passengers First FAA Reauthorization Bill Will Help Airports Plan for the Future WASHINGTON, DC:The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 2881, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2007, by a vote of 267 to 151.  The bill includes a modest increase in the passenger facility charge (PFC) user fee cap from $4.50 to $7.00.  PFCs fund important projects, such as the construction of new runways and terminals, which increase airport capacity, reduce delays and promote new competition.  Airports Council International- North America (ACI-NA) and its allies requested the $2.50 per segment increase in the PFC user fee to help airports build new infrastructure to meet the surging demand for air travel. The following statement can be attributed to Gregory Principato, President of Airports Council International - North America: "Airports Council International - North America applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007.  Demand for air travel has stretched the nation's aviation infrastructure to its breaking point, and this bill will help passengers by providing airports the financing tools to build runways and expand terminals.  "Today's vote is an important step for today's frustrated and aggravated air travelers.  The PFC cap increase included in H.R. 2881 will lead directly to decreased delays and increased competition.  PFCs are one fee where the benefits for travelers are clear.  "As they consider this bill, ACI-NA strongly urges the Congressional conferees to consider the needs of passengers first and recognize that PFCs can provide an essential benefit to passengers for decades to come."   AIRPORTS: Coalition Urges Congress to Oppose Lampson-Poe Amendment to H.R. 2881 Trade Groups Tell Congress to Expect More Congestion and Delays WASHINGTON : In letters to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, 12 organizations representing counties, cities, state transportation and aviation officials, airports and the construction industry, urged Congress to oppose an amendment that may be offered on Thursday, September 20, when it is expected that the House will consider H.R. 2881, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2007.  The amendment would lead to increased congestion and delays for travelers by reducing the amount of funds available for critical airport infrastructure projects. "This past summer has been very challenging for air travelers &endash; they've experienced delays and canceled flights, in addition to the airlines charging them extra for everything from food to leg room on airplanes," said Greg Principato, president of the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the leading organization in the coalition. "By allowing a small increase in a locally-based user fee, airports can fund capital improvement programs that reduce delays, enhance safety, promote competition and general economic development in communities throughout the United States." The amendment, likely to be offered by Representatives Nick Lampson (D-TX) and Ted Poe (R-TX), would eliminate a provision in the bill to increase the cap on Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) from $4.50 to $7.00.  PFCs are local fees used by airports to build safety, security and capacity projects, including new runways, taxiways and terminals to meet passenger needs. Led by the Airports Council International- North America, the coalition reminded both Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner that increasing the PFC cap has broad bi-partisan support from leadership on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  In addition to Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) and Ranking Member John Mica (R-FL), many in Congress agree with the Department of Transportation and the FAA that the PFC cap needs to be raised. H.R. 2881 does not mandate that airports increase the PFC at their airport. Increasing or imposing a PFC is a local decision subject to consultation with airlines and the community, as well as rigorous federal scrutiny.  PFCs by law must be used to fund projects that increase airport capacity and promote competition.  Raising the cap on PFCs will help to reduce passenger delays and inconvenience. The coalition includes:  Airports Council International-North America, American Association of Airport Executives, National League of Cities, National Association of Counties,  National Association of State Aviation Officials, Airport Consultants Council, Airport Minority Advisory Council, Associated General Contractors of America, American Association of State Highway and American Society of Transportation Officials, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Road & Transportation Builders Association and American Council of Engineering Companies. View a copy of the letter:   http://www.aci-na.org/docs/Lampson%20Poe%20PFC%20Coalition%20Letter-FINAL.pdf About ACI-NA: The mission of Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) is to advocate policies and provide services that strengthen the ability of air carrier airports to serve their passengers, customers and communities.  ACI-NA represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada.  ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America.  Nearly 400 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the five worldwide regions of Airports Council International.  Under the terms of U.S. federal legislation, this e-mail may be considered an "advertisement" or "solicitation."   If you do not wish to receive any further emails from ACI-NA, please send an email to: jweidlich@aci-na.aero with the words "OPT-OUT" in the subject line.   You may notify us with your decision to opt-out within 30 days of receiving this email.   If you choose to opt out of receiving e-mail from ACI-NA, you will no longer receive ACI-NA e-newsletters, notices of upcoming meetings, sponsorship opportunities, etc.   If you prefer to unsubscribe from certain electronic publications rather than opt-out from email communications entirely, please email such request to communications@aci-na.aero.   It may take up to 10 days to process your request.   The postal address for ACI-NA is 1775 K Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006.