The White House’s recently released 2011 budget from the United States Office of Management and Budget on Feb. 1, not only does not call for aviation user fees next year, but also includes a three percent increase in funding for the Federal Aviation Administration. The proposed package of $16.5 billion to run the FAA includes $1.1 billion for modernizing the air transportation system, commonly referred to as NextGen.
“After spending years fighting against the proposal of user fees, this is welcome news for the general aviation industry,” said Paula Derks, president of the AEA.
“This shows not only did Congress listen to our concerns, but the Administration listened, too, by deleting its language of user fees found in last year’s budget.”