JAA’s Clark Speaks to Congress

By Timothy J. Gibbons, The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville

Mar. 29–The federal government needs to give airports more flexibility in making money and in spending it, the executive director of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority told Congress on Wednesday.

During an appearance before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s aviation subcommittee, JAA Executive Director John Clark asked the body to allow airports to increase the amount of money that airports can charge airlines for each passenger, continue funding the grants provided by the Airport Improvement Program and keep the Military Airport Program.

The military program is of particular interest to Jacksonville because of Cecil Field, the former naval air station that was turned over to the city when it closed. About half of the $52 million that has gone into preparing the field for civilian use has come from MAP dollars. The authority plans on turning to that source for future projects as well.

Clark also wants the Aviation Authority to have more flexibility in using money. Airports have limits on how they can acquire land if their runways aren’t operating near capacity.

“From where we sit,” Clark said, “we think greater flexibility could let us move ahead.” The subcommittee’s hearing came at a time when the Federal Aviation Administration is in the process of looking to revamp how it is funded and how it funds projects at the nation’s airports. The committee, which includes Florida Reps. Corrine Brown and John L. Mica, heard from the FAA administrator earlier this month.

Wednesday’s meeting focused on the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, from which the administration is looking to cut almost $1 billion, leaving less money available for airport construction projects.

Such cuts could hit airports the size of Jacksonville International Airport in particular, the executive director said.

The dozen airport executives who testified before the sub-committee Wednesday represented a range of airport types, from massive ones like Chicago O’Hare International Airport to smaller operations like Southwest Oregon Regional Airport.

According to their written testimony, all of them have similar concerns with the changes suggested by the FAA, particular when it comes to cuts in the AIP.

“We have spoken with a united voice,” Clark said after his testimony.

“We shouldn’t be reducing funding at a time when there are greater capital demands on airports.”

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