FAA Reauthorization Act includes gradual increase in EAS funding

Washington – U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith and Sen. Deb Fischer lauded passage and President Trump’s signing into law of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 as an important win for rural Nebraska served by the Essential Air Service program it includes.

“I appreciate President Trump signing this FAA Reauthorization into law, which ensures continued support for rural airports including the seven Essential Air Service airports in Nebraska’s Third District,” Smith said.

“While I am pleased we were able to mitigate some of the issues faced by airports which have lost enplanements to onerous pilot regulations in the short term, I remain committed to finding a long-term solution which keeps our airways safe while ensuring a sufficient workforce to meet the needs of rural communities.”

Fischer, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee which will provide EAS funding for McCook, Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte, Alliance, Scottsbluff and Chadron for five years, said “Working with Nebraskans, I secured provisions that will benefit many of our airports and keep our communities connected.”

“Because of the wins for Nebraska in this bill, people in our state will have better access to ari service, and they’ll be safer when they fly,” Fischer added.

The final legislation includes a Smith amendment to ensure full safety funding under the Airport Improvement Program for airports which have fallen below the statutory minimum of 10,000 annual enplanements due to pilot shortages at small airlines.

Besides reauthorizing the EAS program, it gradually increases the authorized funding from $155 million in fiscal year (FY) 2018 to $172 million in FY 2023.

Fischer also shepherded a provision providing Mother’s Rooms at medium and large hub airports available for nursing mothers.