The U.S. House of Representatives is anticipated to begin consideration today of the full Fiscal Year 2024 funding package for the first tranche of government agencies, including the Department of Transportation and along with it, a $20.28 billion budget for the FAA. House action follows approval late last week of another short-term funding extension, this time until March 8 for the first group of agencies, narrowly averting a shutdown that was set to occur on March 1.
The federal government, including the FAA, has been operating under a series of funding extensions since FY2024 began on October 1 while Congress hammered out a final compromise agreement. In addition, the FAA has been operating under a series of extensions of its authorization as Congress finalizes a long-term reauthorization bill for the agency.
As for the appropriations bill, Congress is providing a $1.25 billion increase over FY2023, including funding for the hiring of 1,800 air traffic controllers. In all, the bill would provide $12.73 billion for the agency’s operations budget, $12.09 billion of which would come from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. This leans more heavily on user taxes and fees, with the general government fund furnishing a little more than $600 million for the agency’s operations.
Other priorities stated in the bill include funding to continue improving the notam system and directives for improved oversight of production and manufacturing, as well as for a study on the future state of type certification. In addition, the appropriations package directs the FAA’s Flight Standards Service to continue to eliminate its backlog of certification applications and calls for a report within 90 days on the staffing allocated to Part 135 applications, size of backlogs, and time for processing. Another measure seeks updates on the agency’s progress on remote digital tower certification.
Congress also provided what it called “an historic” $3.43 billion for FAA facilities and equipment to accelerate NextGen modernization, including $65.2 million for the critical Terminal Flight Data Manager and $69.95 million for DataComm programs. It includes $33.2 million for airport ground surveillance, $340.8 million for telecommunications infrastructure, and $29.35 million for long-term improvements to the critical note system.
The Airport Improvement Program would receive $3.85 billion, including $502 million for supplemental AIP grants targeting sustainability projects. Research, engineering, and development, meanwhile, is budgeted for $280 million, including $20 million for aviation workforce development.