House approves bill reauthorizing FAA safety, airport improvement programs

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FAA airport safety bill overview: 

• Who: The U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve a five-year bill reauthorizing safety and airport improvement programs created by the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Why: The bill will keep pilot training requirements in place and enhance protections for airline passengers, among other things. 
• Where: Passage of the bill would affect airline travelers and workers nationwide. 

The U.S. House of Representatives voted late last week to approve a five-year bill reauthorizing safety and airport improvement programs created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

The bill will also keep pilot training requirements in place, in addition to addressing shortages in the workforce, enhancing protections for passengers, and opening a pathway for the integration of drones and air taxis, reports Law360.  

House lawmakers’ approval of the bill, known as the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, allows it to move on to be considered in the Senate, which is still working out kinks in its own version of an FAA bill. 

The bill, which was passed by House lawmakers by a vote of 351-69 on Thursday, will provide billions of dollars in funding towards upgrading airport infrastructure and bolstering development and training programs in the workforce through 2028, reports Law360. 

“Today, the House voted to bolster America’s global aviation leadership,” said Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen, in a statement. “This good faith process yielded a bipartisan bill that will create a safer, cleaner, greener, and more accessible U.S. aviation system.” 

Approved FAA bill would increase training for pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, among other airport workers

Aviation positions that would receive heightened training under the bill include pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, and other airport workers. 

The bill also includes provisions ensuring passengers who experience delays or cancellations will be issued refunds or compensated in some way, reports Law360. 

The passenger protection provision comes amid an increased struggle with capacity and service disruptions in the airline industry thanks in part to a heightened demand for air travel in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“(The bill) will maintain our gold standard in safety and innovation, make a more sustainable and resilient aviation sector a reality, and improve accessibility and consumer protections for all passengers,” Larsen said.

In May, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced new rulemaking that would require an airline to compensate passengers in the event they experienced a controllable flight delay or disruption. 

What are your thoughts on House lawmakers passing the FAA bill? Let us know in the comments! 

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