Senate Commerce Presses FAA for Answers on Air Traffic Control Modernization
“If key aspects of full NextGen implementation will not emerge for another decade or more, it is difficult to see how airlines, taxpayers, or the flying public will ever break even, much less realize the benefits to the U.S. economy that NextGen has promised.”
December 1, 2016
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, asked Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta for information responsive to twelve concerns about his agency’s multi-billion dollar efforts to modernize air traffic control operations through initiatives collectively known as “NextGen.” Third party audits, including a recent Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General report requested by Chairman Thune, have continued to indicate that the FAA is not implementing NextGen in a sufficiently timely and effective manner.
“If key aspects of full NextGen implementation will not emerge for another decade or more, it is difficult to see how airlines, taxpayers, or the flying public will ever break even, much less realize the benefits to the U.S. economy that NextGen has promised,” wrote Thune to Huerta. “A better accounting of when stakeholders will reap the benefits of investments in NextGen will be important to seeing this ambitious initiative succeed.”
Thune’s letter, which follows the FAA’s non-concurrence with recommendations made by the Department of Transportation inspector general, requests the FAA provide information no later than December 15, 2016. The Senate Commerce Committee exercises legislative jurisdiction over the FAA.
Click here for a copy of Sen. Thune’s letter to Administrator Huerta.
“If key aspects of full NextGen implementation will not emerge for another decade or more, it is difficult to see how airlines, taxpayers, or the flying public will ever break even, much less realize the benefits to the U.S. economy that NextGen has promised,” wrote Thune to Huerta. “A better accounting of when stakeholders will reap the benefits of investments in NextGen will be important to seeing this ambitious initiative succeed.”
Thune’s letter, which follows the FAA’s non-concurrence with recommendations made by the Department of Transportation inspector general, requests the FAA provide information no later than December 15, 2016. The Senate Commerce Committee exercises legislative jurisdiction over the FAA.
Click here for a copy of Sen. Thune’s letter to Administrator Huerta.
