Senate committee delays FAA reauthorization bill markup due to pilot training concerns.

A Senate Panel Delays FAA Reauthorization Bill Markup Amid Pilot Training Dispute

A Senate panel has indefinitely postponed the markup of its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill, citing an ongoing dispute over a pilot training amendment. The amendment, introduced by Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), has sparked controversy just two days after the introduction of a $107 billion bill by Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and ranking member Ted Cruz (R-TX).

Improving Safety and Preparing for the Future

Cantwell and Cruz’s bill aims to enhance runway safety, track high-altitude balloons, prevent airlines from charging families to sit together, and modernize the nation’s airspace for the future of air travel. However, concerns have been raised about the pilot training language in the House version of the bill, leading to the delay of the markup.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has already released its own version of the FAA reauthorization bill. Cantwell expressed “a lot of concern” about the pilot training language in the House package, but it remains unclear if this directly influenced Thune and Sinema’s decision to draft their amendment.

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee has not yet rescheduled the markup, and there is no timeline available for the next steps. However, Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) believes that Chairwoman Cantwell is diligently addressing the complex issues at hand.

Battles Over Long-Distance Flights at Reagan National Airport

Another battle is brewing over an amendment that seeks to increase the number of long-haul flights into DC-area Reagan airport heats up”>long-distance flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. This amendment is unrelated to the delay of the markup. Cantwell and Cruz have made a deal to introduce an amendment that would grant the airport four additional slots beyond the current perimeter rule, which limits the number of long-haul flights from Washington, D.C.

While Cantwell and Cruz’s amendment still requires a vote in the Commerce Committee before being added to the legislation, it is less ambitious than other proposals that would offer airlines 28 more long-distance flights daily. The proposal has faced opposition from airlines and local lawmakers who argue that the airport’s main runway is already the busiest in the nation and lacks the capacity to handle more flights.

Senators supporting the expansion argue that airlines opposing it are protecting their own business interests. The debate continues, with concerns raised about potential passenger delays and disruptions to the balance among airports in the region.

Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have expressed their concerns about the proposed expansion, emphasizing the need to maintain the current capacity and balance. They have vowed to fight against the expansion using all available procedural tools.

The Coalition to Protect America’s Regional Airports, which includes United Airlines, has also warned that any changes to the slot and perimeter rules could jeopardize the timely passage of the FAA Reauthorization bill.