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The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023, extending the agency's authority for another five years. The bill was introduced in 2023, but after discourse on both sides of the floor, the 2018 bill was extended twice to allow for more time to vote on the matters within the act. Included are several provisions to improve safety and strengthen oversight, ensuring the FAA can continue to oversee the national air space and maintain the safety of the flying public.
"This bipartisan bill delivers improvements to aviation safety and consumer protections that Americans have been demanding," Senator Maria Cantwell said. "The bill will put more FAA safety inspectors on factory floors and more air traffic controllers in towers. It forces airlines to improve customer service—establishing mandatory refunds for flight disruptions and barring carriers from charging extra for families to sit together. Aviation is a key sector of the U.S. economy and supports millions of U.S. jobs. We need to make the right investments, hire the best-skilled workers and make our aviation safety system the gold standard of the world."
The bill will strengthen aviation safety at a time where runway incursions are on the rise. There are added measures to bolster the workforce, including addressing the air traffic controller shortage, mandating that the FAA implements new staffing models to close the gap of 3,000 controllers and requiring the agency to boost staffing to close the 20 percent shortage of FAA safety inspectors in charge of certification and production oversight. The FAA must increase safety for foreign repair stations to meet U.S. standards.
"Our aviation system is strained, and advancing the FAA Reauthorization Act will help address challenges and ensure the FAA can carry out its core mission - the safety of the flying public," Senator Jerry Moran said. "In addition to providing certainty for the FAA, this legislation bolsters the aviation workforce, addresses the FAA regulatory backlog, safeguards rural air travel, and accelerates new technology and innovation in the aviation industry. While there is more work to be done to ensure this legislation positions the FAA to handle the challenges we face today and in the future, I am pleased we have reached this critical point."
Additional safety methods include the deployment of surface detection technology at more medium- and large-sized hub airports to prevent near-misses. Planes must be equipped with 25-hour cockpit voice recorders to aid in NTSB investigations. Previous CVR devices had a two-hour limit and data would be overwritten once the limit was reached, often preventing NTSB investigators from hearing audio crucial to aid in crash investigations. By passing the bill, the NTSB is also reauthorized, allowing it to hire more safety investigators.
The legislation will strengthen consumer protections, like the first-ever refund standards for passengers with non-refundable tickets when domestic flights are canceled or delayed starting at three hours. Airline vouchers will be required to last at least five years so customers have a chance to use them. Airlines are not allowed to charge parents extra to be seated next to their children. The fines against airlines for aviation consumer protection violations will triple. The bill will also enhance accessibility and protections for passengers with disabilities by improving seating accommodations and evacuation standards.
The bill will boost funding for the Essential Air Service Program and double funding for the Small Community Air Service program so smaller communities can connect and make investments to modernize airport infrastructure. The FAA will be required to set new standards for drones and electric air taxis so the U.S. can lead in next-gen technology, including the creation of a dedicated Office of Advanced Aviation Technology at the DOT.
The bill will authorize over $107 billion in appropriations for the FAA fiscal years from 2024-2028. This will fund important safety programs, the modernization of important technologies and equipment, airport improvement grants and research and development. The bill also authorizes $720 million in appropriations for the NTSB.
Aviation groups have been pushing for its passage for months, warning of the possible safety ramifications without FAA authorization. With passage in the Senate Committee, many groups have spoken out and shown support.RELATED STORIES:GAMA President warns Congress of dangers without FAA reauthorizationGA groups urge Congress to pass long-term FAA reauthorization billHouse passes FAA reauthorization bill with overwhelming support
"It is encouraging to see the Senate take this critical step towards passing a long-term FAA Reauthorization bill," GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. "Congress must ensure that the FAA and Administrator Whitaker have the tools needed to support operational and programmatic direction that can facilitate the aviation sector's future path towards increasing levels of safety and innovation."
"We are particularly pleased to see that the bill includes provisions to improve the FAA's rulemaking process, strengthen the agency's international effectiveness, support workforce development, maintain sustainability efforts and foster agency and industry innovation," he continued. "We commend the committee for advancing this important legislation and are grateful for the work of Senators Cantwell, Cruz, Duckworth and Moran for championing the bill. We are hopeful that the House and Senate will work in a coordinated and expedient manner to advance a final bill through Congress in the near term."
The Air Line Pilots Association International joined in, with President Capt. Jason Ambrosi issuing statements. Including a conclusion urging the Senate to "expeditiously pass" the bill to enhance safety and the pilot profession.
"ALPA applauds the Committee and Chair Cantwell and Subcommittee Chair Duckworth for passing an FAA reauthorization bill that protects and advances aviation safety," Capt. Ambrosi said. By fighting back against attempts to introduce uncertainty, risk, and changes to collective bargaining agreements by increasing the pilot retirement age and rolling back training requirements, this bill will help ensure our country remains a global leader in aviation."
The NBAA welcomed the Senate Committee's vote."NBAA applauds Sens. Cantwell, Cruz, Duckworth, Moran and members of the committee for passing a strong bill that provides stability, enhances safety, embraces new technologies and will help grow our workforce," NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said. "We urge Congress to act with urgency on the bill, so we can move forward on the priorities and programs identified in the legislation."The Senate FAA bill has passed through the committee and will now be up for a vote on the floor.