US bills to boost airport construction spend
02 July 2017
The US government is introducing legislation that is set to significantly increase spending on airport construction in the country.
Following the US$3.35 billion budget agreed for airport construction earlier this year, two new bills have been advanced by both the US House and the Senate.
Under a proposal from the Senate, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program’s budget would be increased by an annual average of 9% for four years, while a proposal from the Senate would see it boosted by an average 8% per annum, over six years.
In response to the proposals, the Associated General Contractors of America said the measures represented a good start.
Neither proposal calls for any increase to the passenger facility charge, which is currently capped at US$4.50, although the Airports Council International – North America has called for the cap to be scrapped.
In March this year, a report from the Airports Council stated a sum of around US$100 billion was required over the next five years, to cover the necessary improvements across all US airports.
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