Airport and Industry Leaders Driving Effective Policy Solutions for Sustainable, Safe Airport Infrastructure and Operations
About AFSA
The Alliance for Financially Sustainable Airports serves as the policy voice supporting and defending airports against a growing and grave threat to their financial health. AFSA members advocate for adequate funding for airports, protecting airports' revenue collection rights, and opposing legislative restrictions that threaten airport financial sustainability. Only through financial sustainability can US airports achieve and maintain the standard of safety demanded by our aviation ecosystem. AFSA unites a wide-ranging coalition of airports and strategic allies to preserve essential funding programs, maintain local authority over airport operations, and ensure long-term financial viability in the face of unprecedented federal budget cuts and coordinated attacks on airport revenue streams.
THE FUNDING CRISIS
FACING AIRPORTS
America's airports are confronting a severe financial crisis as costs rise and federal support remains uncertain, while coordinated attacks on revenue collection threaten airports' ability to maintain critical infrastructure and safe operations.
Immediate Threats to Airport Sustainability
Federal Funding Uncertainty
While the federal government allocates massive resources to other aviation infrastructure through budget reconciliation - including $24.6 billion for Coast Guard operations and $12.5 billion for air traffic control modernization - airports face continued uncertainty about their own federal funding streams.
State and Federal Legislative Attacks on Revenue Collection
As airports navigate federal funding uncertainty, organized campaigns in multiple states – rooted in misinformation -- seek to restrict airports' ability to collect revenue through modern technology. Montana and Florida have enacted restrictions on ADS-B billing, with similar efforts spreading nationwide. Now, the U.S. Congress has followed suit with the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act, which would prevent the long-accepted use of ADS-B flight tracking information for any revenue tracking or collection purpose, and levy significant restrictions on imposing fees for general aviation aircraft.
Coordinated Misinformation Campaigns
Misinformation campaigns spread false claims about airport billing practices, seeking to shift financial burden from aircraft operators to already-strained taxpayers and local governments. These campaigns ignore existing FAA privacy protections and legitimate operational needs while airports face unprecedented operational pressures.
AFSA CORE VALUES
1
Federal Funding Advocacy
Airport funding decisions must be based on infrastructure needs and economic impact, not arbitrary budget cuts that threaten safety and connectivity
2
Financial Sustainability
Airports need both adequate federal support and diverse revenue streams to meet infrastructure demands and self-sufficiency requirements without burdening taxpayers
3
Operational Efficiency
Modern technology enables fair, accurate, cost-effective operations that benefit all users while reducing costs during a time of funding constraints
4
Coalition Strength
United action amplifies airport voices against misinformation campaigns and federal budget pressures that threaten airport viability
Why Join AFSA
AFSA'S ADVOCACY PRIORITIES
Airports face a perfect storm of financial challenges that require immediate, unified advocacy. AFSA members focus on:
Defending airports against federal funding uncertainty - As massive resources flow to other aviation and transportation infrastructure projects, AFSA is committed to clearing the muddy waters of federal funding uncertainty.
Preserving airports' right to make local decisions about collecting legal and necessary fees - Our goal is to achieve this without arbitrary and burdensome reporting and justification requirements.
Fighting new restrictions on revenue use - Including proposed GA landing fee restrictions to airfield safety projects.
Preserving airports' right to use modern technology - Including ADS-B flight tracking data for legitimate operational and billing purposes.
Maintaining diverse revenue streams - To allow airports to meet infrastructure demands and operational requirements.
Opposing arbitrary technology restrictions - To avoid forcing airports back to inefficient, costly manual processes while federal support remains uncertain.
Countering misinformation campaigns - Which mischaracterize legitimate airport operations and seek to shift costs from users to taxpayers.
Building coalition strength - To amplify airport voices against coordinated attacks on airport financial sustainability.
Join AFSA to Preserve Airports
Airport financial sustainability depends on proactive leadership and coordinated advocacy. Through AFSA's unified approach, airports can drive policy solutions, secure essential resources, and maintain the operational flexibility necessary for modern, efficient airport operations. Sign up to be on the mailing list and receive news related to AFSA and our fight for the rights of airports.
