Aviation News Item: 00833

31st Mar 2009

Source: ubmaviationnews.com

Around $10bn in federal funding would be necessary over the next decade to start implementing the US' next-gen satellite-based air traffic control (ATC) system, according to aviation lobbyists in Washington such as Bill DeCota, aviation director of the port authority of New York and New Jersey, and Jim May, president of the Air Transport Association. The overall costs for the new ATC infrastructure and aircraft systems are estimated at $20bn until the system's planned completion in 2025. Who is going to pay for this and what share is to be taken by the private and public sectors is as yet unsure. The industry lobbyists argue the system will pay for itself, given that a US Congress study of aircraft delays and congestion claims overall losses for the US economy of $41bn. When the aviation industry recently asked the White House for $4bn in support for the next-gen ATC system, just $150m were granted.

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