FAA faces ‘devasting’ budget cuts
Budget cuts up to 1 billion dollars are hovering over the FAA like a sword of Damocles, says the Aerospace Industries Association. The AIA published a report on the effect of the potential cuts this week in conjunction with Econsult Corporation.
The US deficit may force these cuts, called sequestration as soon as January.
"It will be by far the most devasting budget cut to the FAA in its 54 years," said former secretary of transportation, Norman Mineta. "The FAA is a critical safety organization that regulates our national air transporation system. Putting it at risk is folly beyond comparison."
In a statement to the press, the Aerospace Industries Association cites a letter from Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.), ranking minority member of the House Appropriations Committee, to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction in October 2011 saying sequestration could result in the closure of 246 airport control towers, and the loss of 1,500 air traffic controllers, 9,000 security screeners and 1,600 customs officers. The Association also says the cuts would delay the implementation of NextGen, the new air traffic control system currently scheduled for 2025. NextGen is poised to save 27 million hours in flight delays and reduce 216 metric tons of emissions.
The Econsult study, "Economic Impacts of FAA Budget Sequestration on the U.S. Economy," is available at www.secondtonone.org.
Gretchen Kelly
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt