NE Ohio Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. –On July 20, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) voted in favor of H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation (SGRLAA) Act which reauthorizes funding for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs, as well as aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years. 

The FY24 FAA reauthorization contains Congressman Joyce’s amendment that would designate the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (YNG) and Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS) as a primary airport. Currently, YNG is the only commercial airport in the country with an Air Reserve Station that does not have commercial air service. Upon the loss of commercial air service in 2018, the FAA significantly reduced the annual maintenance funding at the airfield. Earlier this year, Representatives Dave Joyce (OH-14) and Bill Johnson (OH-06) introduced standalone legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to designate YNG/YARS as a primary airport. 

“With travel returning to pre-pandemic levels, flight delays and cancellations continue to inconvenience travelers across the country,” said Congressman Joyce. “I am proud to support this bill to advance the performance of the FAA, grow the aviation workforce, invest in airport infrastructure, and improve passenger experience. This legislation is a critical to continue America’s global leadership in aviation and will have a direct benefit for communities across Northeast Ohio.”

In addition to Joyce’s amendment, the FY24 FAA reauthorization: 

•    Provides long-term stability across the Nation’s aviation system and encourages aviation innovation;

•    Restructures the FAA to improve efficiency;

•    Reestablishes the Aviation Workforce Development (AWD) grant program to attract pilots and mechanics and extending it to manufacturers as well. The program is funded at $45 million per year for two years;

•    Authorizes and strengthens the National Transportation Safety Board;

•    Makes targeted investments in airport infrastructure across the nation by authorizing $4 billion in funding per year for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), split between primary and non-primary airports.

Original source can be found here.