Icy Reception for Bush’s FY09 FAA Budget

The Bush Administration yesterday proposed a $14.643 billion FAA budget for Fiscal Year 2009, and the plan was immediately criticized by members of Congress and much of the aviation community. NBAA noted that the proposal contains language nearly identical to last year’s White House FAA budget in its call for user fees to help fund the agency. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association noted that the Administration’s insistence on pushing a financing plan that Congress has already rejected “makes our job tougher.” The American Association of Airport Executives said the proposed reduction of more than $765 million for the Airport Improvement Program would be “laughable” if the problems facing air travelers weren’t so serious. And Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, added that under the shortfall, virtually every airport’s entitlement spending will be cut and small airports will be particularly hard hit.