Forty members of the U.S. House General Aviation Caucus urged the FAA to take all necessary steps to protect general aviation and commercial airports. In a recent letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, the caucus members expressed “deep concern with recent attempts by local governments to close or restrict access to small, non-hub airports that are a vital part of our National Airspace System.”
The lawmakers also expressed “strong and unwavering support” for the FAA’s decision in a Part 16 complaint that the City of Santa Monica in California must honor grant obligations at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) through 2023. “Further, to the extent that SMO accepted federal surplus property, the city has a responsibility and legal obligation to operate the facility as an airport in perpetuity,” they added.
Surplus property agreements and grant assurance agreements are among several reasons for airport operators to maintain their facilities, the lawmakers said, also noting obligations to use revenues generated on the airport for airport operation and improvement. “It is incumbent on the FAA and the federal government to enforce and defend their agreements with local governments,” the lawmakers said, adding, “these airports are a national asset and must be protected and maintained.”
AOPA president Mark Baker praised the lawmakers for penning the letter in defense of general aviation facilities. “These airports serve their communities and the nation, and it’s vital that airport sponsors live up to their agreements.”