... comments Greg Principato about the incoming Congress and the changeover in leadership roles to Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives. Principato, president of Airports Council International-North America, says he’s optimistic that key new leaders in the House understand aviation and airports and the issues they face. “It makes a difference. There’s a new lineup and a new set of political pressures,” he says.
One of the key leadership changes comes when Rep. John Mica (R-FL) takes over the helm of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Mica has been a proponent of long-term reauthorization of FAA and system funding. “I know Congressman Mica is determined to get it done; he’s made that very, very plain,” comments Principato. “He’s been immersed in this for the last several years.”
Rep. Mica has also been a very vocal critic of the Transportation Security Administration, and recently sent out a letter to some 100 U.S. airports encouraging them to consider private contracting for passenger screening. Says Principato, “I think a number of airports see advantages and want to pursue it. Other airports don’t want to pursue it. Our view is, if an airport wants to pursue it they ought to be able to.”
“There’s a misperception about this. The press and politicians have thought that if they did this it meant people wouldn’t have to go through the AIT (advanced imaging technology) machines or the pat-downs. Of course that’s not true. The screening, whether it’s done through the opt-out program or by TSA employees, has to be done to the same standards.”
Principato relates that it’s too early to determine the details of long-term reauthorization – for how long or at what funding levels. However, one encouraging sign for Principato and airports is that Rep. Mica has a history of supporting an increase on the cap on passenger facility charges (PFCs). Says Principato, “If you go back and look at some of the committee and floor debates on this he’s spoken up saying that it’s necessary for airports to have this tool; he certainly understands it’s a local fee and it’s not a federal tax,” he says.
Having heard Rep. Mica speak at conferences in the past, I’ve walked away impressed that this appears to be a legislator who knows how to get things done. For an aviation system that has been forced to operate in an environment of long-term uncertainty and continuing resolutions, this should be good news.
It can’t happen soon enough.
Thanks for reading. jfi