The FAA Investment in NextGen was $128 millions in 2007, $216 millions in 2008, $695 millions in 2009, and $868 millions in 2010. According to Aviation Week, general aviation advocates are pleased that the Obama administration’s budget request didn’t include user fees... The FAA will get as much as $18.66 billions for fiscal 2012, including a boost in funding for NextGen modernization... The FAA is currently promoting NextGen among aviation community partners (e.g. general aviation, manufactures, State/local governments, operators, private carriers, etc.) asking for their collaboration and investment in the system.
In fact the benefits of NextGen are genuine and tremendous and will truly modernize our air transportation system. Currently, investment in NextGen is almost entirely done by our government (tax payers). So far no user fees have been included in next year’s budget but that might change in the near future as more investment in infrastructure and equipments will be required.
In the meanwhile, I think the government should continue its funding and implementing NextGen up until the system becomes more effective and efficient before requiring user fees. Ultimately, users of NextGen should be required to pay for it, but I think users/operators should be somewhat subsidized for using the system during the initial years. Also user fees should be charged based on the type of operation and type of aircraft utilizing the system. I think everyone should pay for NextGen in the future, but we have to charge users fairly and according to the type of operation. Finally, the government should promote NextGen to private investors and to aviation community partners so that the FAA get all the funding it needs to complete the transformation process of our national airspace system within a reasonable time-frame.
I like your idea that the FAA should look for investors for NextGen. I also think that if the FAA advertises NextGen as a greener transportation (less fuel, lower CO2 emissions, etc.) it will bring in more investors and more public support.
ReplyDeleteInteresting discussion - I'm curious as to what would be the motivation for private investors to invest in NextGen? Investors within or outside the aviation community or both?
ReplyDeleteThe idea of user fees isn't the ideal solution, there are so many different costs associated with flying the last thing people need are more costs to tack on. Im not just referring to General Aviation, but commercial as well. If there are user fees the airiness would have to pay much more than someone that flies on the weekend, and those cost really wouldn't be paid by the airlines, it would be yet another charge incurred but the men and women buying the airline tickets.
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