Washington, DC, February 2, 2015 – The following statement can be attributed to National Air Transportation Association President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks on today's release of the Obama Administration’s FY2016 budget proposal. The Administration is proposing an FAA funding level of $15.8 billion for next year. The proposal also includes the repeal of depreciation rules designed to encourage the purchase of general aviation aircraft:
"NATA is pleased that the Administration recognizes the important mission of the FAA by proposing significant increases for FAA operations, system modernization and research; however it will be a heavy lift for the aviation industry. Among other things, the President’s overall discretionary budget proposal, including the FAA, is well above the caps required by law and these increases will face a very skeptical Congress.
"We also appreciate the Administration removing a proposal from previous budgets to impose user fees on general aviation activity. However, we will continue to vigorously oppose revising the tax treatment for the purchase of business aircraft. It adversely impacts aviation businesses that are known for creating highly-skilled, good paying jobs at a time when we must continue to build economic momentum. NATA and its members will continue to work with our aviation industry colleagues and congressional leaders to ensure it is not enacted into law."
NATA, the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies. For more information about NATA, please visit www.nata.aero, www.twitter.com/nataaero or www.facebook.com/nataaero.
