# Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024, Part II

This bill extends funding and authorization for the nation's airport and airway infrastructure systems. Essentially, it keeps the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operating and maintains federal support for airport improvements and air traffic control services for a set period of time. Without this type of extension, these programs would face funding gaps that could disrupt operations.

The bill affects several groups of people. Travelers benefit because it ensures airports continue receiving federal money for maintenance, safety upgrades, and modernization projects. Airlines depend on this funding to operate safely and efficiently. Airport workers, air traffic controllers, and maintenance staff keep their jobs because the FAA can continue paying them. Communities with airports see continued investment in their local infrastructure. Additionally, businesses that rely on air transportation—from shipping companies to tourism operators—benefit from stable, well-maintained airport systems.

Practically speaking, this means your local airport can continue runway repairs, upgrade security systems, improve terminals, and maintain proper staffing levels. Air traffic control towers stay fully operational with trained controllers managing flights. The funding also supports smaller regional airports that might not survive on ticket sales alone. Without these extensions, airports would face budget cuts that could lead to delayed maintenance, reduced services, or staffing shortages that ultimately affect flight reliability and safety for everyone who flies.

Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024, Part II

Graves, Sam

Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024, Part IIThis bill temporarily extends specific Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs and activities through May 17, 2024.For example, the bill extends the FAA<ul><li>Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) pilot programs (e.g., the UAS Test Site Program and the UAS remote detection and identification pilot program),</li><li>weather&nbsp;reporting programs, and</li><li>Remote Tower Pilot Program.</li></ul>The bill also extends the authorization for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). (This program provides grants for planning, development, and noise compatibility projects at or associated with certain public-use airports.)Further, the bill extends through May 17, 2024, the FAA's authority for expenditures from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) and to collect various taxes and fees to fund the AATF, including taxes on aviation fuel and airline tickets. (The AATF is the primary funding source for all major FAA accounts that fund federal aviation programs, with the remainder coming from general fund appropriations.)The bill also extends through May 17, 2024, the authority of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to take certain actions to mitigate a credible threat to certain facilities or assets from a UAS. These include certain facilities that are located in the United States and identified as high-risk and a potential target for unlawful UAS activity.&nbsp;