FAA's Fiscal Year 2009 budget request once again slashes the Airport Improvement Program but triples funding for the NextGen air traffic control modernization program.

The total FAA budget request of $14.6 billion is down from the FY2008 budget of $14.92 billion enacted by Congress. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters urged Congress to move on the FAA reauthorization bill, currently stalled in the Senate, to restore the funding mechanisms for the agency.

The request includes a $688 million for the NextGen system, up from $212 million in FY08, said Robert Sturgell, FAA acting administrator. This "substantial increase" is slated for investments in ADS-B and other satellite-based technologies, Peters said, calling it a critical investment in combating congestion.

FAA is calling for cuts to the Airport Improvement Program to the tune of $765 million. Despite these cuts, AIP will be able to meet all safety and capacity needs and will satisfy all outstanding and expected letters of intent for projects, Sturgell said. The cuts will be offset by the funding outlined in the FAA reauthorization bill, he said, resulting in no net loss to airports. Sturgell noted that FAA is "looking forward to working with Congress" to iron out the AIP funding changes.

But both major associations representing airports blasted the proposal. "Despite all the issues that have come up about delays and congestion, it makes no sense that they want to take funding out of infrastructure projects," said Airports Coucil International-North America (ACI-NA) president Greg Principato.

Both Principato and Todd Hauptli, executive vice president of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) agree that the administration proposes the cuts every year because they know Congress will put the funding back in.

"The administration is trying to short sheet the AIP program again and put the money in higher priority programs. But Congress is not likely to follow their lead," said Hauptli.

Principato agreed. "This happens year after year, and although we know we have support from Congress, we have to remain vigilant," he added.

With this year's budget request, FAA reorganized its funding lines to reflect the categories proposed in the FAA Reauthorization bill. The Operations and Facilities and Equipment accounts have been converted to Air Traffic Organization and Safety and Operations accounts.

Photo: Jon Ross, FAA