U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV, joined a majority of the Members of the House Thursday to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through 2012 and provide a historic increase in funding for rural airports and airport infrastructure improvements.

"The record air travel delays we witnessed over the summer highlighted the faults in the American air travel system," said Rahall. "This legislation, which I cosponsored, will modernize our aging air traffic control system and fund critical infrastructure improvements that will help reduce delays and improve safety in American airports."

H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act, would provide $41.2 billion for airport infrastructure development, including approximately $18 billion for new runways, taxiways, and construction needed to handle rapidly increasing airline traffic. The legislation also would increase the number of aviation safety inspectors by more than one-third and provide $13 billion for upgrades to FAA facilities, equipment, and high-priority safety-related systems.

As Vice Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rahall is an ardent supporter of West Virginia's rural airports and has consistently supported fully funding the Essential Air Service (EAS).

"The name says it all; the Essential Air Service program is essential to the continued effective operation of our airports in West Virginia," said Rahall. "Our small and rural communities have proven their ability to compete on the national stage when given the opportunity. The robust funding authorized in this legislation can provide investment in necessary airport operation and infrastructure that is so essential to the success of southern West Virginia's economic growth.

The EAS program provides subsidies to small rural airports to help underwrite the cost of airline service. The program is aimed at ensuring the continuation of air service to rural businesses and residents that otherwise would find local air service financially prohibitive. In addition to the $133 million in annual authorized funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, Rahall fought to establish an Office of Rural Aviation within the Department of Transportation to monitor the status of air service in small communities and develop proposals to improve air service in small communities.

The FAA Reauthorization Act also contains language instructing the Government Accountability Office to study how the $200 per passenger subsidy cap restricts eligibility for funding under the EAS program and how that cap has impacted the access of small communities to vital air transportation. Additionally, this legislation allows states or local governments to dispute cancellation of EAS eligibility and submit a proposal to the Secretary of Transportation on how to restore compensation for such service.

This legislation will empower local airports with increased authority to raise and spend funds to modernize their facilities," said Rahall. "Airports in Beckley and Huntington have experienced a record number of passengers in 2007. Under this legislation, our airports will be able to better serve the growing number of airline passengers traveling through southern West Virginia."

The U.S. Senate must now approve its own version of the FAA Reauthorization Act. The two versions will have to be reconciled in a conference committee and then sent back to both bodies for final passage before being presented to the White House to be signed into law.