Washington, D.C. -U.S. Representative Charles Bass (R-NH02) announced today that House and Senate negotiators have reached agreement on a $40 billion aviation bill that would fund long overdue investments in the nations airports and make the skies safer for the flying public. Under the compromise Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21), New Hampshire would be eligible to receive $21.3 million in federal funding.

"This bill would benefit all sectors of the airport and airway system," said Bass, who helped negotiate the final agreement as a member of the House conference committee. "It bolsters safety by providing substantially more money for runways and other equipment at airports, increasing funding to modernize our antiquated air traffic control system, and ensuring the FAA has the funds to hire and train air traffic controllers, maintenance technicians, and safety inspectors."

"This bill would make it possible to increase airport capacity, which will not only reduce delays, but will also inject a healthy shot of competition into the airline industry," continued Bass. "By creating more gates, more airlines will have the opportunity to fly popular routes. The increased competition will help drive down ticket prices."

Under the bill, New Hampshire would receive a 100 percent increase in federal funding next year, with the Manchester Airport eligible for a total of $11,165,962 and Lebanon Municipal Airport eligible to receive a total of $3,000,000 over the next three years.

The bill would increase aviation investment by $10 billion over current levels. The total authorized funding for federal aviation programs will be $40 billion over the next three years, $33 billion of which will be guaranteed from the aviation trust fund, while $6.7 billion will be available to be appropriated from the general fund.

"This bill unlocks the aviation trust fund," added Bass. "For years we neglected our transportation needs and allowed the surpluses in the transportation trust funds to accrue in order to mask the size of the budget deficit. This bill would help instill honesty in the budget process and provide the necessary funding that airports need to keep pace with the dramatic increase in air travelers."

Bass is a member of the House Transportation Committee's Aviation Subcommittee. The New Hampshire Republican served on the conference committee that hammered out the final agreement announced today.

New Hampshire's Three Year Funding Levels Under AIR-21 Compromise Bill:

New Hampshire State Entitlement over three years is $7,117,995, which includes the following for general aviation airports:

Berlin Municipal Airport		$258,333
Claremont Municipal Airport		$450,000
Concord Municipal Airport		$450,000
Dillant-Hopkins (Keene)		$450,000
Laconia Municipal Airport		$283,332
Boire Field (Nashua)			$450,000
Pease International			$450,000
Skyhaven (Rochester)			$330,000
Mt. Washington Regional Airport		$185,334

In addition, New Hampshire's primary airports would receive the following over three years:

Manchester Airport			$11,165,962 (includes $861,196.80 for cargo)
Lebanon Airport			$3,000,000

Total NH Funding			$21,283,957