WASHINGTON—The House today approved a bill to fund federal aviation programs through Fiscal Year 2004 and ensure that aviation tax revenues will be dedicated to aviation purposes.

Following several hours of debate, the House approved H.R. 1000, the Aviation Improvement Act for the 21^st Century (AIR 21). The bill authorizes $67.6 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration, and makes funds available for airport construction, improvement and maintenance under the Airport Improvement Program.

The Ranking Democratic Member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. James L. Oberstar of Minnesota, said the funding is critically needed if the country is to avoid gridlock in the airways and airports because of dwindling capacity and aging air traffic control equipment.

"We can no longer ignore critical issues, such as expanding runways to accommodate larger aircraft; expanding terminals and gates to promote competition; and other measures needed to handle the dramatic rise in passengers, from 600 million to almost 1 billion, which is expected over the next ten years. Many airports, in rural and small towns, are severely limited since they can only accommodate small aircraft during good weather," Oberstar told the House during debate on the bill.

"In 1997, 27 airports experienced more than 20,000 hours of delay; unless improvements are made, the number of these airports will increase to 31 by 2007. And we are falling far short of the capital development needs of our nation’s airports. The General Accounting Office has confirmed that this shortfall is $3 billion a year," Oberstar said.

Oberstar pointed out that the funding provided in AIR 21 not only will increase capacity, but enhance safety.

"From the recent accident at Little Rock Airport, we are beginning to learn, sadly, once again, that aviation accidents are usually caused by a chain of events. If only one link did not occur, the accident may have been averted, or its impact reduced. In Little Rock, we are learning about a weather detection system that was not fully operational and about runway technology -- that might have prevented some fatalities or injuries – that was not installed. While we do not yet know why the accident happened, we are already beginning to see possibilities that increased aviation investment may have made a difference. Every investment we make - from navigation systems to better windshear detection equipment, to runway safety devices – may break the chain and help prevent or minimize an aviation accident. Every dollar we do not spend from the aviation trust fund makes it more likely that there will be a chain of events ending in a tragedy," Oberstar said.

Last year, TEA 21, the surface transportation funding bill, ensured that funds collected in fuel taxes for the Highway Trust Fund will be spent on transportation projects. Similarly, AIR 21 contains a provision to preserve revenues from aviation taxes for aviation purposes.

"The debate today is not about arcane budget rules. It is about whether we will restore faith with the American people, unlock the aviation trust fund, and make investments critical to our nation’s transportation system and future economic growth and development. Will you vote today to ensure that taxes paid by individual American citizens to ensure their safe, secure, timely passage on an aircraft will be used for that purpose?" Oberstar asked his House colleagues.

"With your vote, you will help ensure that the U.S. has the safest, most secure and efficient aviation system in the world as the century of aviation begins," Oberstar said.