Just a few weeks ago the world watched as Donald J. Trump took the oath of office to become the 45th president of the United States. No presidential candidate had ever advocated so passionately for infrastructure – particularly airport infrastructure – while on the campaign trail as Mr. Trump. But now that the campaign is over and President Trump has assumed office, what happens next for airports?
I am excited for the opportunity to join Airport Business magazine as a contributor bringing you the latest policy updates from Washington, DC. The mission of Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) is to advocate for policies and provide services that strengthen the ability of airports to serve their passengers, customers, and communities. As the “Voice of Airports,” we are dedicated to fulfilling our mission of being a go-to resource that keeps our members, policymakers, and the traveling public informed on policies affecting the industry. Our nearly 400 airport members count on us to be their eyes and ears when it comes to legislative and regulatory issues.
While it is common for campaign promises to fade after the inaugural balls come to an end, good news remains for the airport industry when it comes to advancing key airport priorities on infrastructure. Throughout his campaign President Trump remained an advocate for infrastructure investments to strengthen America by continually speaking to the challenges that our national infrastructure – including airports – face. In his inaugural address, he continued his pledge to “build new roads and highways and bridges and airports and tunnels and railways all across our wonderful nation.” In fact, President Trump’s inaugural address includes the first ever mention of the word “infrastructure” in any presidential inaugural.
While we await the exact details of President Trump’s infrastructure plan, ACI-NA has rightly praised President Trump’s commitment to airport infrastructure. We have pledged to work alongside him to get the job done. After all, modernizing our nation’s airport infrastructure has been a top priority to ACI-NA for several years. Our policy solutions – eliminating the outdated federal cap on the locally set Passenger Facility Charge, maintaining the Airport Improvement Program and protecting tax-free municipal bonds – are aligned with his call to address the significant infrastructure challenges facing our nation. And, we hope to see President Trump act on behalf of our nation’s infrastructure early in his administration.
The case we are making in Washington could not be more important. Airports are a fundamental part of our nation’s infrastructure. America’s airports generate more than $1.1 trillion in annual activity and support over 9.6 million jobs.
But our airports are at risk of falling behind. According to ACI-NA’s most recent airport infrastructure needs study, America’s airports have almost $100 billion in infrastructure projects that must be undertaken to help airports maintain their leadership in the global aviation system. The almost $100 billion in airport infrastructure needs identifies the significant funding that is necessary to renovate tired terminals and runways, relieve congestion and delays, improve safety and security, and spur new airline competition that will lower airfares for passengers.
ACI-NA remains fully dedicated to advocating on behalf of our members and the industry, but we cannot do it alone. Airports are in the best position to tell their unique stories, based on the economic benefits airports provide to their local communities. Airports must communicate their airport’s story to their congressional representatives. Detail the challenges you face in running a modern and competitive airport by inviting them for an airport tour. Urge them to work with President Trump and Congress to modernize airport funding options and strengthen America’s airports. Your support will help us advance our collective mission to modernize airport infrastructure that is so important to your local communities.
With your support we will get Washington out of the way of local airport investment decisions to ensure airports become more financially self-sufficient and capable of meeting today’s infrastructure needs and tomorrow's opportunities. President Trump has not been shy in stating that our airports are “are like a third world country.” We remain committed to working with his administration and the 115th Congress to make airports great again!
Kevin M. Burke is President and CEO of Airports Council International – North America.
