- March 28, 2008, 10:17 AM
A coalition of 36 aviation organizations–including NBAA, GAMA and NATA, though not AOPA or ATA–sent a letter to the full U.S. Senate last month, calling for members to pass a comprehensive, long-term FAA reauthorization bill this year. Further, they urged the Senate to make the legislation a priority, noting that aviation represents 5.4 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, contributes more than $600 billion to the annual economy and provides nine million jobs. The letter claims that the strength of the aviation system and its ability to meet future demands “is dependent upon the federal government’s success in meeting its obligations to provide adequate infrastructure.”