Senate passes sweeping FAA bill focused on safety, consumer protections

The Senate overwhelmingly passed a 5-year, $105 billion resolution to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday, May 9, a day before the law was set to expire. The bipartisan bill aims to improve safety and customer service for air travelers.

The bill “gives the FAA the stability it needs to fulfill its primary mission — advancing aviation safety — while also making travel more convenient and accessible,” Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell, D-Wash, said.

Among other measures, the bill calls for hiring more air traffic controllers, faster refunds for canceled flights and technology upgrades to avert close-call incidents on runways. The FAA says 3,600 employees would have been furloughed if the law expired.

“This FAA reauthorization deal strengthens our industry, making flying safer for passengers, cargo and crew without weakening the protections that have created the safest period in aviation history, and ALPA urges swift passage of this agreement,” Jason Ambrosi, Air Line Pilots Association President, said

“ALPA has long maintained that as Congress considered this year’s FAA reauthorization, the focus should remain on breaking down barriers, opening up opportunities to ensure a robust and qualified pipeline of aviators, and providing air-service support for those living in rural and small communities without lowering the bar on safety.”

The Senate also passed a one-week extension for the law’s expiration, with the House of Representatives expected to vote on the reauthorization bill next week.