1999: THE YEAR FOR AVIATION?

Now that the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century has been passed, Congress must turn its attention to the nation's runways as it considers a long-term reauthorization of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The AIP provides financial grants to airports for development and planning. Both the House and Senate passed Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization legislation in 1998 that included many AIP provisions but never held a conference committee to reconcile the differences in the respective bills. Instead, Congress passed a simple 6-month extension of the AIP as it rushed to adjourn in October 1998. The extension is to expire March 31, 1999. A strong federal investment in the AIP is critical to ensuring the safety of the flying public and maintaining the economic strength of the nation's air transportation system.