NATCA Bookshelf

28 I s s u e s N A T C A I N W A S H I N G T O N 2 0 2 4 N i W To d a y FA A F u n d i n g R e q u i re s R o b u s t A u t h o r i z a t i o n a n d A p p ro p r i a t i o n s L eve l s Issue u QUICK REFERENCE 1 One of the most serious issues facing the FAA is a lack of funding as a result of the its annual budget requests not meeting all of its needs, which jeopardizes the safety, efficiency, and capacity of the NAS. How This Issue Affects NATCA Members Disruptions to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding and significant budgetary shortfalls create a more stressful, less productive work environment for aviation safety professionals. Unstable and insufficient funding also can delay the implementation of vital modernization technology, sustainment and repair of existing safety-critical equipment, and the hiring and training of new controllers and other aviation safety professionals. Shutdowns – even threatened shutdowns – related to the expiration of appropriations or FAA authorization create uncertainty and unnecessary stress for NATCA members about when they will be paid for working during a shutdown. Traditionally, Congress has provided the funding requested by the FAA based on the Administration's budget requests; however, those requests often have fallen short of what is needed and failed to keep up with inflation, especially for the Agency's Facilities & Equipment budget, which pays for modernization programs and infrastructure sustainment and improvement throughout the NAS. 2 The FAA must request, and Congress must provide, adequate funding through the annual appropriations process – particularly for the Agency's Operations and Facilities and Equipment budgets for fiscal year 2025 and beyond – by anticipating increased future needs. Reduced funding, or even flat funding, would undermine the safety, efficiency, and capacity of the NAS. 3

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