Davids Visits New Century AirCenter, Discusses Impact of Upcoming FAA Reauthorization
NEW CENTURY, KS - Today,Representative Sharice Davids visited the New Century AirCenter to share her priorities for the upcoming Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization discussions. Davids and Bryan Johnson, the recently appointedexecutive director of the Johnson County Airport Commission, toured the 81-year-old air traffic control tower and visited the new commerce center.
Davids, a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, now prepares to negotiate compromised legislation with her House and Senate colleagues before the 2018 FAA reauthorization expires on September 30, 2023.
“Our entire economy relies heavily on reliable air travel of people and goods to keep our communities moving and maintain a strong domestic supply chain,” said Davids. “I’m focused on reauthorizing the FAA, so Kansans are protected financially, feel safe while flying, and have access to good-paying aviation manufacturing jobs. This legislation would benefit New Century AirCenter and all airports in the KC metro area, and I look forward to working with Republicans and Democrats on the final compromise when I get back to Washington.”
Representative Sharice Davids visits New Century AirCenter to discuss the upcoming FAA reauthorization process.
Davids toured New Century AirCenter’s 81-year-old air traffic control center, which Johnson County official have prioritized for upgrade due to structural and safety deficiencies. Construction of the new tower may be eligible for bipartisan infrastructure law investments. Davids also visited the New Century Commerce Center, which houses over 60 companies in the fields of warehousing, distribution, printing, food processing, manufacturing, and avionics. Cnano Technology USA, a paste manufacture for electric batteries, recently announced they would expand operations to the commerce center and create 112 local jobs.
“Rep. Davids was instrumental in the support and passage of the House FAA reauthorization bill, which will directly benefit New Century and Executive airports,” said Bryan Johnson, Executive Director, Johnson County Airport Commission. “The bill addresses prioritizing General Aviation airports and provides a funding mechanism to address our nation's GA hangar shortage, and requiring 100LL be available at airports until an unleaded fuel replacement for the fleet is widely available.”
In July, Davids supported bipartisan legislation to fund the FAA for the next five years and provide new guidance and standards for the agency. Specifically, it would improve airline customer protections and accessibility, increase America’s aviation safety standards, and strengthen U.S. aviation workforce and manufacturing. It also includes provisions to help reduce runway near misses, which are often caused by air traffic controllers stretched thin by a nationwide staffing shortage. After the Senate passes their version of the bill, the House and Senate will come together to find a compromise that reauthorizes the FAA.
Davids has prioritized consumer protections and safety throughout the FAA reauthorization process. She previously introduced an amendment to the reauthorization package to ensure transparency of airline fees for consumers throughout the ticketing process. During a March committee hearing, Davids spoke with airline professionals about how the overall flying experience, including safety and transparency of hidden fees, could be improved. She also called on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg to provide answers for January’s aviation safety notification system meltdown and to hold airlines accountable for recent mass cancellations.