Aviation Pros
Bryan Hafertepe, T.J. Schulz, Peter Kirsch, and Ally Fields
25 Jan 2026
With record FAA funding now locked in through 2028, airports have a rare opportunity to modernize—but only if industry and regulators can close the growing gap between legislation and execution, a challenge the Airport Consultants Council is tackling through a new, collaborative model with the FAA.
When Congress passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, it delivered five years of record infrastructure funding through 2028. Airports now have predictable capital to plan long-term, modernize aging systems and build for future demand. But across the country, airports are adjusting to new statutory requirements while the FAA’s Office of Airports faces retirements, staffing shortages and a widening portfolio of responsibilities. The gap between legislative intent and on-the-ground execution could impact projects, create inconsistencies across regional offices and strain already thin timelines.
Airports, Engineers and the FAA: A New Way Forward | Aviation Pros | 25 Jan 2026
