NBAA-backed AAM legislation passed by US House

The US House has passed NBAA-backed legislation to accelerate the growth of AAM. The Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act (AAIM Act), H.R. 6270 authorises funding to plan for and eventually build new AAM infrastructure.

The act plans to leverage existing vertiports and other public transportation facilities to support AAM operations and start community engagement programmes to introduce the latest technologies to communities across the US.

The legislation was first introduced last December and has attracted nearly 30 bi-partisan co-sponsors.

The bill is, in large part, a result of efforts led by NBAA with the support of a broad group of aviation stakeholders to underscore the importance of beginning AAM planning and construction, to fully leverage the technology. This has come through the NBAA’s AAM Roundtable, a group established for sector leaders to decide a path for integrating AAM technologies into the nation’s airspace.

“We applaud the House of Representatives for passing this important legislation, which will support the future of on-demand aviation,” said NBAA president and CEO, Ed Bolen. “The targeted investments outlined in this legislation will assist in creating new, innovative and sustainable air transportation networks throughout our country that will support hundreds of thousands of green jobs while also ensuring our nation’s global leadership in aviation.”

Similar legislation (S.4246) that authorises AAM planning grants was introduced in the Senate and recently approved by the Senate Commerce Committee. With passage of the House bill, NBAA will continue working with coalition partners to advance the legislation in the Senate.