Senate FAA Bill Rejects Privatization of Air Traffic Controllers

A Senate panel on Wednesday announced a bipartisan proposal to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. The proposal wouldn't allow for the privatization of the nation's air traffic control system, which could make it harder to pass in Congress this year.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation unveiled a plan to reauthorize the FAA that would make reforms to drone regulations, including a safety test requirement. It would also add consumer protections for airline passengers, and speed up implementation of a satellite-based system to oversee air traffic.

"The U.S. Senate has an opportunity to make our skies safer, promote responsible drone usage, make economically significant aerospace manufacturing reforms, and adopt beneficial new protections for the flying public," committee chair John Thune, R-S.D., said.

But the Senate proposal does not follow a House plan to privatize the nation's air traffic control system, which currently operates under the authority of the FAA.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., said privatization would help the ATC system run more efficiently and safely, and speed up implementation of the NextGen satellite system for controlling air traffic.

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