On July 23rd, Congress adjourned and failed to pass a temporary funding measure for the Federal Aviation Administration.  This funding measure’s failure to pass has a direct result on 4,000 jobs at the FAA, and an estimated $2M per week loss from not having the authority to collect taxes.  Although these layoffs are obviously hurtful to the employees, you may be wondering what effect will be to you as the consumer of business aviation.

On the short term, you will see no changes, except possibly the exclusion of taxes that you previously would have paid for the same chartered trip.  Most of the significant changes are in the infrastructure budgets, and will have direct impacts on Airport Improvement Projects.  The funding for these projects has been shut down, therefore eliminating or postponing the job or putting the financial burden on the owner of the facility if they continue the project during the shut down.

If Congress fails to  reauthorize the FAA’s funding, then we could see some longer term impacts, most of which would be in the form of incomplete projects.  Because this lack of funding affects one of the most important parts of our nations transportation system, this will likely be a short term issue.  In order for us to serve you better, we need runways, systems and facilities that are kept up to date by this funding.  However, you will see no lack of comfort, convenience and friendliness by flying with Special Services Corporation.