To amend title 49, United States Code, to reauthorize and improve the Federal Aviation Administration and other civil aviation programs, and for other purposes.
Analysis under review: This bill has generated analysis that may be too generic or incomplete. Clause-level evidence remains available below.
Summary
What This Bill Does
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 extends funding and authority for the Federal Aviation Administration through September 30, 2028, authorizing over $100 billion across FAA operations, facilities and equipment, and airport infrastructure grants. It enacts sweeping reforms across every dimension of civil aviation, from safety certification and air traffic control modernization to passenger rights, drone integration, advanced air mobility (air taxis), workforce development, aviation research, and NTSB reform.
Who Benefits and How
Airlines and aircraft manufacturers benefit from streamlined certification processes, modernized type certification, and regulatory clarity for new technologies including drones and powered-lift aircraft. Air travelers gain new consumer protections including mandatory refunds for cancelled flights, family seating requirements, wheelchair handling standards, and increased civil penalties for airline violations. General aviation pilots benefit from expanded BasicMed medical certification, reduced regulatory burdens, and protections from ADS-B surveillance-based enforcement. Airport operators receive increased AIP funding, new grant programs, and streamlined environmental review processes. Emerging aviation technology companies (drone operators, advanced air mobility firms, supersonic aircraft developers) gain regulatory pathways to bring new products to market.
Who Bears the Burden and How
The FAA faces the greatest regulatory burden, with hundreds of mandated rulemakings, studies, reports, and organizational reforms to implement within specific deadlines. Airlines must comply with new consumer protection requirements including refund policies, customer service dashboards, family seating rules, disability accommodation standards, and mandatory live customer chat services. Aircraft manufacturers face enhanced production oversight and continued post-Boeing 737 MAX safety accountability measures. Manufacturers of certain foreign-made drones (particularly Chinese-origin DJI and similar companies) are banned from FAA procurement and operations. The Airport and Airway Trust Fund bears the financial burden through extended fuel and ticket tax authorization.
Key Provisions
- Authorizes $3.19-$3.85 billion annually for airport planning and development (AIP) through FY2028
- Mandates FAA hiring of at least 1,800 new air traffic controllers annually through FY2028
- Requires airlines to provide automatic refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed flights
- Creates regulatory pathway for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations
- Establishes rules for powered-lift aircraft (air taxis) pilot certification and operations
- Adds 10 new slot exemptions at Reagan Washington National Airport for long-haul flights
- Requires family seating policies so young children sit adjacent to accompanying adults
- Bans FAA from procuring or operating drones from covered foreign entities (Chinese manufacturers)
- Extends NTSB authorization with new workforce planning and accountability requirements
- Mandates 25-hour cockpit voice recorders on newly manufactured aircraft
- Creates aviation cybersecurity management process and rulemaking committee
- Establishes Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee and expands workforce development grants
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration through fiscal year 2028, appropriating over $100 billion for FAA operations, facilities, and airport infrastructure while enacting comprehensive reforms to aviation safety, air traffic control modernization, consumer protection, drone integration, advanced air mobility, workforce development, and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Key Policy Areas
Aviation, Transportation, Consumer Protection, Technology, Cybersecurity, Labor and Employment, Disability Rights, Environment, National Security, Research and Development
Primary Purpose
Reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration through fiscal year 2028, appropriating over $100 billion for FAA operations, facilities, and airport infrastructure while enacting comprehensive reforms to aviation safety, air traffic control modernization, consumer protection, drone integration, advanced air mobility, workforce development, and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Policy Domains
Title I - Authorizations
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- Federal Aviation Administration
- airports
- air traffic control system
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- federal budget/taxpayers
- Airport and Airway Trust Fund
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title V - Aviation Consumer Protections and Essential Air Service
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- airline passengers
- passengers with disabilities
- families with young children
- small/rural communities
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- airlines/air carriers
- airports
- Essential Air Service program budget
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title X - Research, Innovation, and Sustainability
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- aviation research institutions
- sustainable aviation fuel producers
- supersonic aircraft developers
- universities
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- FAA research budget
- Airport and Airway Trust Fund
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title II - FAA Organization and Reform
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- aviation industry stakeholders
- FAA applicants
- the public
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- FAA leadership and staff
- FAA Administrator
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title IV - Aviation Workforce
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- prospective aviation workers
- air traffic controllers
- women and minorities in aviation
- veterans
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- FAA human resources
- air carriers (training and policies)
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title IX - Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- domestic drone manufacturers
- advanced air mobility companies
- drone service operators
- infrastructure inspection industry
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- covered foreign drone manufacturers (Chinese companies)
- FAA UAS Integration Office
- recreational drone operators
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title VI - Air Traffic Control System Modernization
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- airports (especially small/rural)
- air traffic flow management providers
- aviation technology companies
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- FAA air traffic organization
- federal budget
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title XI - Miscellaneous Provisions
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- organ transplant patients
- travelers
- FAA contractors and airline employees (re: vaccine mandates)
- commercial space operators
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- FAA Administrator
- airlines (compliance)
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title III - Safety
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- air travelers/flying public
- aviation safety system
- whistleblowers
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- aircraft manufacturers
- air carriers
- FAA certification offices
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title VII - Airport Improvement, Development, and Environmental Streamlining
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- airport operators/sponsors
- disadvantaged business enterprises
- communities near airports
- passengers with disabilities
- general aviation airports
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- Airport and Airway Trust Fund
- FAA Airports division
- fixed-base operators
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title XII - National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- transportation safety/the public
- accident investigation process
- families of accident victims
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- NTSB management
- federal budget
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title VIII - General Aviation Pilot Protections and Streamlining
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- general aviation pilots
- flight instructors
- aircraft owners
- designated pilot examiners
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- FAA Flight Standards Service
- FAA Aircraft Registry
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Title XIII - Airport and Airway Trust Fund Provisions
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- FAA programs
- airport infrastructure
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- airline passengers (ticket taxes)
- aviation fuel purchasers
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
Enrolled (Passed Congress)Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the …
Passed House (inferred from enr version)
Passed Senate (inferred from enr version)
Enrolled Bill (inferred from enr version)
Mr. Graves of Missouri (for himself, Mr. Larsen of Washington, …
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee, Air traffic control managers, Bureau of Transportation Statistics
FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, NTSB face effects in multiple directions
Positive-direction: Air traffic control managers, DHS, FAA employees, Government agencies using UAS, Human factors professionals, NTSB employees with disabilities, NTSB witnesses, NTSB workforce, TSA screening personnel, US territories
Negative-direction: Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, DOT, DOT Inspector General, Department of Transportation, FAA Leadership, FAA Leadership and Management Board, FAA Ombudsman, FAA enforcement, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Simulator Program, GAO, Government Accountability Office, Secretary of Transportation
AAM companies, AAM industry stakeholders, AAM stakeholders
Airlines, Airport operators, Airports, Aviation industry, General aviation operators face effects in multiple directions
Positive-direction: AAM companies, AAM industry stakeholders, AAM stakeholders, AAM/UAS companies, Air carrier certificate applicants, Air carrier employees, Air carriers, Air passengers, Aircraft dispatchers, Aircraft engine manufacturers, Aircraft operators, Aircraft owners, Aircraft owners seeking registration numbers, Aircraft owners/lessors, Airline employees, Airline passengers and crew, Airlines and aviation operators, Airport and Airway Trust Fund, Airport developers, Airport grant applicants, Airport project developers, Airport sponsors, Airport surveillance technology providers, Airport terminal operators, Airport-adjacent communities, Airports and electric aircraft operators, Airports collecting PFCs, Airports developing fuel infrastructure, Airports investing in energy efficiency, Airports needing secondary runways, Airports receiving AIP grants, Airshow performers, Airshow venues and performers, Alaska aviation community, Alaska aviation operators, Aspiring airline pilots, Aviation accident families, Aviation accident witnesses, Aviation certificate holders, Aviation certification applicants, Aviation employees, Aviation equipment manufacturers, Aviation industry stakeholders, Aviation industry whistleblowers, Aviation professionals and students, Aviation safety researchers, Aviation stakeholders, Aviation technology companies, Aviation whistleblowers, Aviation workforce, Buckeye 940 airport, Charitable flight organizations, Coastal airports, Commercial airline pilots, Commercial aviation service providers, Commercial service airports, Contract tower employees, Contract tower operators, Designated pilot examiners, Electric aircraft manufacturers, FAA, FAA contractors, FAA whistleblowers, Flight crew members, Flight crews, Flight instructors, Flight simulator companies, Forestry and fire protection pilots, General aviation aircraft owners, General aviation airports, General aviation pilots, Gyroplane manufacturers and operators, Gyroplane operators, Intermodal transportation facilities, International aviation operations, Military-connected airports, Motorcoach companies, ODA holders, Older commercial pilots, Organization Designation Authorization holders, Part 121 airlines, Part 135 air carriers, Passengers with disabilities, Pilot certification candidates, Pilot examiners with BasicMed, Pilots, Pilots and certificate holders, Pilots conducting off-airport operations, Pilots flying public aircraft, Pilots in training, Pilots seeking certification, Pilots seeking medical certification, Pilots under investigation, Populous counties without airports, Private aircraft owners, Private pilots, Private reliever airports, Privately owned reliever airports, Ramp workers, Regional air carriers, Rural/small communities, Small aircraft owners, Small airports, Small aviation operators, Small community airports, Small hub airports, Third-party aviation service providers, Ticket agents, UAS operators, UAS operators in Arctic, UAS operators in Arctic regions, Volunteer pilot organizations, Volunteer pilots, Women in aviation, eVTOL manufacturers
Negative-direction: AIP grant applicants, Air carriers (certificate holders under part 121), Air carriers and foreign air carriers, Air carriers and relevant industry stakeholders (including flight schools), Air carriers certificated under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Air carriers operating under part 121, Air tour operators over national parks, Aircraft manufacturers, Airlines and airports, Airlines and ticket agents, Airlines seeking remote operations, Airlines with overwater routes, Airports seeking privatization, Airports with nearby critical habitat, Aviation Consumer Advocate, Aviation employers, Aviation security stakeholders, FAA designees, Flight attendants, pilots, and aircraft maintenance technicians of air carriers, Flight service station operators, Helicopter operators, Helicopter tour operators, Homestead ARB civil aviation proponents, Hub airports, Large hub airports, Major airports, Medium and large hub airports, N-Number speculators, Part 135 operators, Rotorcraft operators in DC, Transportation operators
AAM industry stakeholders, ADS-B equipment manufacturers, Aerospace manufacturers
Aircraft manufacturers, Commercial UAS operators, UAS operators face effects in multiple directions
Positive-direction: AAM industry stakeholders, ADS-B equipment manufacturers, Aerospace research and education, Aerospace research community, Aerospace research institutions, Aircraft certification applicants, Alternative ADS-B technology manufacturers, Aviation technology companies, BEYOND program participants, COA applicants, Commercial space launch companies, Drone infrastructure inspection providers, Gyroplane manufacturers and operators, High-speed aircraft manufacturers, Military aviation maintenance personnel, Powered-lift aircraft manufacturers, Radar data providers, Remote tower technology providers, STC holders, Spaceport operators, Spaceports, UAS and autonomous flight stakeholders, UAS industry, UAS inspection service providers, UAS test range operators, UAS traffic management providers, US passenger boarding bridge manufacturers, WIG craft manufacturers, eVTOL manufacturers
Negative-direction: Aerospace manufacturers, Aircraft engine manufacturers, Foreign passenger boarding bridge manufacturers, Foreign repair stations, ODA unit members, Rotorcraft manufacturers, Transport category aircraft manufacturers, UAS operators carrying hazmat
Air passengers, Air travelers, Communities affected by airport noise
Positive-direction: Air passengers, Air travelers, Communities affected by airport noise, Communities near airports, Families traveling with children, Passengers, Passengers with disabilities, Recreational drone operators
Negative-direction: Unruly passengers
Aviation education programs, Aviation safety researchers, Aviation training institutions
Essential Air Service communities, Local communities near airports, Local governments seeking airport closure
Positive-direction: Essential Air Service communities, Local communities near airports, Populous counties without airports, Public aircraft operators, Public safety agencies using tethered UAS, State aviation agencies, Wildfire response agencies
Negative-direction: Local governments seeking airport closure
Chinese airport equipment manufacturers, Foreign rolling stock manufacturers, US manufacturers
Positive-direction: US manufacturers, US rolling stock manufacturers, US/allied boarding bridge manufacturers
Negative-direction: Chinese airport equipment manufacturers, Foreign rolling stock manufacturers
AAM infrastructure developers, Airport construction contractors, Airports and construction contractors
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Transportation
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_deputy_administrator"
- → Deputy Administrator of the FAA
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_inspector_general"
- → Inspector General of the Department of Transportation
- "the_comptroller_general"
- → Comptroller General of the United States
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Transportation
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Transportation
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Transportation
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Transportation
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Transportation
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Transportation
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Transportation
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_board"
- → National Transportation Safety Board
- "the_comptroller_general"
- → Comptroller General of the United States
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of the Treasury
Note: The Secretary generally refers to Secretary of Transportation throughout most titles, but in Title XIII it refers to the Secretary of the Treasury for tax and trust fund provisions.
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, unless otherwise specified.
Definitions from section 44801 of title 49 apply, covering unmanned aircraft, their associated elements, and the operator.
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
A transportation system comprised of urban air mobility and regional air mobility using manned or unmanned aircraft, used for R&D coordination.
Short title for Title XII, which reauthorizes and amends NTSB operations, workforce, and investigative authority.
A transportation system comprised of urban air mobility and regional air mobility using manned or unmanned aircraft.
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
As defined in section 1.1 of title 14, CFR; an aircraft that uses advanced technologies for vertical takeoff and landing with regional air mobility capabilities.
A drone manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity, which includes entities domiciled in, with significant operations in, or subject to influence of China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea.
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology