Aviation Reauthorization Bill with Joyce Priorities Heads to President’s Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) voted in favor of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 to increase aviation safety, improve airport infrastructure, and bolster aviation technology for the next five years.

The FY24 FAA reauthorization contains Congressman Joyce’s language that would designate the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (YNG) as a primary airport. Currently, YNG is the only commercial airport in the country with an Air Reserve Station that does not have active commercial air service. Upon the loss of commercial air service in 2018, the FAA significantly reduced the annual maintenance funding at the airfield. Last year, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) introduced standalone legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to designate YNG as a primary airport. 

“With the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act, America will continue to lead the world in aviation safety well into the future,” said Congressman Joyce. “I was proud to see my language to restore the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport’s primary airport status included in the bill. This will bolster economic growth, increase military readiness, and help fulfill critical infrastructure and resource needs that will allow the airport to continue supporting the important missions of the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.”

In addition to Joyce’s provision, the FY24 FAA reauthorization: 

• Provides long-term stability across the Nation’s aviation system and encourages aviation innovation;
• Restructures the FAA to improve efficiency;
• Reestablishes the Aviation Workforce Development (AWD) grant program to attract pilots and mechanics and extending it to manufacturers as well. The program is funded at $60 million per year for two years;
• Authorizes and strengthens the National Transportation Safety Board;
• Makes targeted investments in airport infrastructure across the nation by authorizing $4 billion in funding per year for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), split between primary and non-primary airports.