The U.S. Senate gave final approval to the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Bill Tuesday, a move that should help the financing situation if the Durango-La Plata County Airport go forward with plans to expand its terminal.
The bill passed 75-20, with both of Colorado’s senators, Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, in support. It now goes to President Barrack Obama.
“We are thrilled to see this bill pass,” said Ron Dent, the director of aviation for the Durango-La Plata County Airport.
Dent said wrangling over the bill had created uncertainty among airport administrators.
“For the last five years, there was no guarantee that funding would continue or under what circumstances funding would be provided,” he said. “Now we know that funding will be consistently provided from this bill.
The funds to pay for the bill will come from a user-tax paid by airline passengers.
Dent said the airport may propose a terminal expansion, and the bill clears the way for a more consistent funding picture for all small, regional airports.
“Right now we’re exceeding our designed capacity in our departure lounge,” Dent said. “If we were to go ahead with that project, it would have to be approved by elected city officials.”
One down side to the bill is that airports will be required to pay 10 percent of a project’s cost to access funding, up from the previous 5 percent, Dent said.
Bennet said approval of the aviation bill was overdue.
“Finally, Congress has come together on a bill that will clear the way for critical construction projects and allow for long-term construction plans, reduce delays for travelers, improve safety and access to air travel, and provide a huge economic boost for Colorado’s airports and their surrounding communities,” he said in the release.
