As Congress heads toward its summer recesses, there appears to be no agreement in sight on changes in the U.S. air traffic control system, as competing Congressional committees disagree.
The Trump administration has proposed, as the airlines have long requested, that the current government-run system be turned over to a non-profit corporation with a mandate to update and operate the system. The airlines believe that years of fighting over appropriations and plans have left the system outdated.
Opponents, especially in states with more small airports, argue that it is not only a government function, but that a private corporation might be dominated by airlines to the detriment of smaller carriers and cities.
Complicating the matter is that the proposals are in two different committees in each house—the transportation committee, and the appropriations committee. While transportation would seem the normal route, putting changes like this in an appropriations bill is sometimes done as a way around opposition.
The most recent came yesterday when the housing and transportation subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee rejected the privatization proposal, and approved $16.7 billion for FAA. The House Appropriations committee also rejected the proposal earlier this month.
But the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has completed work on a new FAA authorization, to replace a law that expires September 30, and their bill includes the privatization proposal. It has not yet been voted on by the full House, and the Senate version of the bill does not include privatization of air traffic control.
Best bet by September 30: Continuation of status quo.
