Coyne Applauds Senate On Passage Of FAA Reauthorization Bill

National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President James K. Coyne this evening praised the United States Senate for passing legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The bill reflects many of the same provisions as U.S. House of Representatives-passed bill H.R. 915 and also includes many new provisions such as aviation safety measures.

"I would like to congratulate the U.S. Senate for approving a two-year FAA reauthorization bill that is void of user fees and that provides a fair jet fuel tax increase," stated Coyne. "The bill also includes several mandates for accelerated implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)."

"I thank Chairmen John D. Rockefeller (D-WV) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND), as well as Ranking Members Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Jim DeMint (R-SC), for their leadership in steering this bill to the floor of the Senate and ultimately to final passage."

The Senate bill now moves to a conference committee to reconcile differences with the House version.

"While the House recently approved another extension through July 3, 2010, I am hopeful that a conference committee can be convened as quickly as possible to ensure that a comprehensive bill can finally be approved," concluded Coyne.

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