Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel criticized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airspace redesign plan in the House Thursday, repeating his longstanding opposition to its implementation. The FAA Reauthorization Act (H.R. 915) - which provides funding for FAA operations, air traffic control modernization, environmental protections, safety improvements, and secures airline passengers rights when flying – passed the full House today by a vote of 277 to 136.

An amendment cosponsored by Rep. Engel to postpone the “misguided” NY/NJ/PA airspace redesign until the FAA had completed a cost-benefit analysis was not considered by the full House. “I am committed to continuing the fight against the FAA’s misguided proposal,” said Rep. Engel. “As far as I am concerned, this fight is not over. This bill had other measures which required it to go through, but I will continue working to convince the FAA to postpone implementation.”

H.R. 915 provides $70 billion for the FAA over the next four years.

The bill ensures consumer protections by requiring airlines and airports to develop plans to take care of passengers involved in long flight and tarmac delays, including plans for deplaning. Several of the provisions of a separate bill, the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights, of which Rep. Engel is a cosponsor, were included in the legislation.

The 11-term Congressman added, “It is a great victory for airline passengers to have their rights acknowledged in this bill. Now we need to remember the rights of the people living in the communities on the ground. The provisions in this bill were necessary, but we still must address this redesign and protect the people in its path.”

The measure now awaits action by the full Senate.