Resources for Federal Aviation Reform

For several years, the Competitive Enterprise Institute has promoted productive reform of the Federal Aviation Administration. Undoubtedly, the United States’ aviation system needs deep, institutional overhaul. The U.S. is the last developed country in the world to have its air traffic control provided by a national aviation regulator. Domestic travel is hampered by unnecessary regulations and inefficiencies that cause delays and cancellations. Furthermore, the FAA is charged with regulating itself, raising serious conflict-of-interest concerns.

There is reason to believe that we are on the verge of monumental aviation reform. The Trump administration has promoted the restructuring of the FAA and shifting air traffic control to a non-profit user co-op. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao recently spoke on the need to modernize air traffic control at the CEI Annual Dinner. The House of Representative is poised to vote soon on H.R. 2997, The 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (21st Century AIRR) Act, which CEI strongly supports. The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee recently passed S. 1405, the FAA Reauthorization Act.

CEI Senior Fellow Marc Scribner has closely investigated the ways in which we can make our aviation system more efficient. Following are links to some of CEI’s key research, analysis, and letters of support on these very important issues.

Aviation sector reform

Air traffic control (ATC) reform

Coalitions supporting aviation reform

Passenger facility charge (PFC) reform

  • Uncapping the outdated $4.50 per passenger PFC will allow competitive airport financing, instead of funding airports with federal grants through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
  • The PFC is not an airport tax, but rather a user fee.