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The reauthorization of Federal Aviation Administration programs should provide dedicated funding for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes and airports, an increase in the Passenger Facility Charge, and decent wages and benefits for airport service workers.
Building an Economy for All, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Climate Impacts, Economic Development and Governance, Economy, Infrastructure, Jobs, Transportation, Worker Rights+7 More
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The commercial aviation industry accounts for roughly 5 percent of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), or $1.25 trillion, in 2022. This year, Congress is slated to reauthorize Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding and programs. The FAA bill presents an important opportunity to advance environmental sustainability; improve job quality for thousands of airport service workers; and ensure the efficiency and competitiveness of the U.S. aviation system.
Unfortunately, current FAA funding levels and program structures are not designed to realize these environmental, labor, and economic goals. In fiscal year 2022, the FAA spent $6.4 billion on capital projects, grants to airports, and research. The overwhelming majority of these dollars supported basic capital work with only a small share directed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Federal law restricts the fees that airports may charge passengers, preventing capacity-constrained airports from raising the revenues necessary to finance their long-term capital needs. Finally, despite billions in federal support flowing to airports every year, many of the workers that make commercial air travel possible lack adequate pay and benefits.
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