WASHINGTON — Airports Council International-North America released a manifesto Monday, calling for the U.S. government to eliminate the alternative minimum tax on private activity bonds and provide airports with reliable funding mechanisms.
Approved Sept. 8 during the run-up to the group’s World Annual Conference in Calgary this week, the document reiterates the airport lobby’s stance that airports need financial flexibility to thrive and serve as engines for economic development. The group has long sought AMT relief for PABs and the ability to set their own passenger facility charge fees, which are used to back bonds.
“By supporting 10.5 million jobs, creating a payroll of $365 billion and an annual output of $1.2 trillion, U.S. commercial airports are a vital part of the aviation system said Greg Principato, ACI-NA president. “That’s why in addition to calling for sufficient resources to ensure the Next Gen Air Traffic System, our resolution calls for flexible, adequate funding sources for infrastructure improvements needed to ensure the safety and security of air travel as well as to address the forecasted growth in both passenger and cargo traffic.”
ACI-NA pushed for AMT relief in the most recently-enacted surface transportation bill, and advocated for PFC flexibility during the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization earlier this year, but neither provision survived to become law.
