U.S. Senate Passes Second FAA Extension

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed an extension through March 8, 2024, for authorization of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Had the bill not passed, FAA authorization and funding would have expired on Dec. 30, 2023. 

This is the second extension for the FAA, the authorization of which initially was due to expire on Sept. 30, 2023. The bill now goes before President Joe Biden for signing.

"A4A greatly appreciates the Senate prioritizing passage of the FAA authorization extension before recessing for the holidays," wrote industry organization Airlines for America in a statement. "The continuance of FAA's operating authority is crucial for the system as air carriers are in one of our busiest seasons for passengers and cargo alike."

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill last week, but it had been held up in the Senate by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in an effort to forge a deal on funding for Ukraine. Bennet lifted his hold on Dec. 19 "following a commitment from Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell to continue to work in good faith on the supplemental national security legislation," Bennet wrote in a statement.