Blakey Reveals More Clues into Possible User Fees

The FAA’s funding stream being tied to the price of an airline ticket is not sufficient or reliable enough to fund the agency and “a new funding mechanism” is required, according to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. In a speech at a recent meeting in San Diego of the American Association of Airport Executives, Blakey said, “The FAA needs a consistent, reliable funding stream. We’ve come up with a proposal that’s now being actively debated within the Administration. I obviously can’t go into great detail, but I can say that it aligns costs with how the system is being used and who’s using it.” Details of the proposal should be available soon, as the current system of ticket and other taxes fueling the Aviation Trust Fund expires in October next year.