The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today commended the Senate Appropriations Committee for rejecting privatization of the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system in an annual federal spending bill.

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen thanked committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT), as well as Transportation Subcommittee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI), for their leadership on the issue.

“Senators Cochran, Leahy, Collins and Reed recognize that ATC privatization is a risky scheme that would be harmful to communities and towns across the U.S.,” Bolen said. “We look forward to working with the committee, and other congressional leaders, to ensure the full passage of this important legislation.”

Proposals for privatizing ATC have been pushed by the big airlines as part of a continuing debate over FAA reauthorization. Under such proposals, congressional oversight of the nation’s aviation system would be replaced by an entity governed by a private group unaccountable to Congress. On June 21, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-9-PA) introduced H.R. 2997, a bill containing provisions for privatizing ATC.

A growing number of people and organizations have raised concerns about the legislation, including congressional leaders from both political parties, non-partisan government scorekeepers, more than 100 aviation organizations, more than 100 business leaders, 100 U.S. mayors and a majority of American citizens.

NBAA has mobilized the business aviation community to oppose H.R. 2997, issuing calls to action urging association members to use NBAA’s Contact Congress email and social media tools to alert lawmakers to the industry’s opposition to the bill.

NBAA has also established a toll-free action line – 1-833-GA-VOICE – to connect association members with their elected representatives, and the association has developed a brief list of suggested talking points for callers. Visit Contact Congress to learn more about these initiatives for mobilizing in opposition to H.R. 2997.