hammdo Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2026/january/22/house-considers-bill-that-would-block-atc-privatization -Don 1
1980Mooney Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 12 hours ago, hammdo said: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2026/january/22/house-considers-bill-that-would-block-atc-privatization -Don This should serve as clear evidence that forces within the Administration or Duffy or both are pushing for privatization of the ATC. If there was no discussion nor push by the Administration for privatization, then no one in Congress would be spending time or effort on adding language to temporarily stop it advancing. This Bill is only effective through September – it’s a “spending/budget Band-Aid”. So I would not take a lot of comfort in it. The problem is that Duffy is asking for $32 billion for ATC modernization (and I’ll bet you it cost double or more before it’s done.) I can imagine the conversation in the Administration – “why should we pay for it? - we don’t want to pay for it –let’s get somebody else to pay for it like the companies that use it or the contractors that will build it or private equity …” and “ we can get rid of a lot more Federal Employees that way too…” If you think the push to privatize ATC is going away, I think you’re going to be sadly disappointed. It’s not a matter of “if” it’s only a matter of “when“ .
Schllc Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 Could not disagree more. ATC will never privatize. It would relinquish too much control. Add on... In fiscal year 2024, federal excise taxes on airline tickets generated approximately $18.3 billion in revenue for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. This amount includes various taxes applied to domestic and international flights. Breakdown of Federal Taxes Tax Type Rate (as of 2025) Purpose Passenger Ticket Tax 7.5% General funding for the FAA and airport improvements Flight Segment Tax $5.30 per segment Supports FAA operations Federal Security Service Fee $2.50 Funds passenger and baggage screening International Departure Tax $23.40 Applies to international flights International Arrival Tax $23.40 Applies to international flights Total Annual Revenue In fiscal year 2024, the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) generated approximately $18.3 billion in revenue, with a significant portion coming from passenger taxes. This amount reflects the combined impact of the various taxes applied to airline tickets. These taxes are essential for maintaining and improving the aviation infrastructure in the United States, ensuring safe and efficient air travel. How does the revenue from airline ticket taxes impact the Airport and Airway Trust Fund? Revenue from airline ticket taxes significantly contributes to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF), which is the primary source of funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In fact, over 65% of the AATF's revenue comes from taxes on domestic passenger tickets, helping to finance various aviation infrastructure and operational needs. It is fair to say that at 99,000 flights per day, not including military, that piston GA is not much of a burden on ATC
N201MKTurbo Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 I don’t think taxes and privatization have anything to do with each other. I wouldn’t mind if they privatized ATC. What I don’t want are user fees. Weather they go to private companies or the FAA. 1
Schllc Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 If taxes and privatization are unrelated, why would they want to privatize? The suggestion was the cost of upgrading and maintaining atc right? Taxes are how its funded. The big challenge is sort of what we discussed in the other topic, its all an ecosystem, and comingled. Separating the sections of the FAA to find out who uses the services and where the money comes from seems challenging for a private company and an impossibility for a government organization.
IvanP Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 Privatization will only add another layer, or multiple layers, of fees. The taxes will not go away and we will all end up paying more for using ATC. Whether as passengers on commercial airlines or as pilots of GA planes.
N201MKTurbo Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 1 hour ago, Schllc said: If taxes and privatization are unrelated, why would they want to privatize? The suggestion was the cost of upgrading and maintaining atc right? Taxes are how its funded. The big challenge is sort of what we discussed in the other topic, its all an ecosystem, and comingled. Separating the sections of the FAA to find out who uses the services and where the money comes from seems challenging for a private company and an impossibility for a government organization. A private organization may be more efficient than the government. The tower at the home drome is a non FAA tower. They seem at least friendlier than the FAA run towers. If they do contract out ATC, the FAA will probably micro manage it to the point that it is no better than what we have now.
Schllc Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 8 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said: A private organization may be more efficient than the government. The tower at the home drome is a non FAA tower. They seem at least friendlier than the FAA run towers. If they do contract out ATC, the FAA will probably micro manage it to the point that it is no better than what we have now. Well, we weren’t discussing efficacy and competence! I don’t doubt a private entity could do a better job. I just done believe the bureaucracy will let it go that way.
kortopates Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 Privatization of ATC would constitute a huge security risk for us. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
N201MKTurbo Posted January 30 Report Posted January 30 1 hour ago, kortopates said: Privatization of ATC would constitute a huge security risk for us. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk A bigger risk than the union?
TangoTango Posted January 30 Report Posted January 30 4 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said: The tower at the home drome is a non FAA tower. They seem at least friendlier than the FAA run towers. That's not been my experience, but one of my bases is an FAA tower. I suspect wherever you're based will be friendliest, as they recognize your comings and goings and get used to working with you. 1
N201MKTurbo Posted January 30 Report Posted January 30 4 hours ago, kortopates said: Privatization of ATC would constitute a huge security risk for us. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I’m curious, what security risk are you concerned about?
Slick Nick Posted January 30 Report Posted January 30 Canada has had privatized ATC for over a decade. I am not a fan. Do what you guys can to stop this from happening in the USA. 2
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