I will soon be introducing legislation known as the Pennsylvania AIR Act (Aviation Investment and Reform) to address the critical need for stable, reliable, and long-term funding for aviation infrastructure across our Commonwealth. Aviation is a vital yet often overlooked part of Pennsylvania’s transportation network, supporting economic development, job creation, emergency services, and community connectivity. Despite its importance, the aviation sector continues to operate under a fragmented and outdated funding structure that has not been meaningfully updated since 1984.
 
Pennsylvania is home to 120 public-use airports that contribute over $34 billion annually to the Pennsylvania economy and support more than 226,000 family-sustaining jobs. In my own district, Erie International Airport illustrates the challenges we face: airports like Erie are competing regionally, yet neighboring states provide their airports with more tools and resources to succeed. Erie is just one example, but it represents the broader challenges across our state aviation system.  To ensure our airports remain competitive and all communities can access the opportunities aviation provides, we must adopt a comprehensive and equitable funding strategy that supports both large commercial service airports and rural general aviation facilities alike.
 
The Pennsylvania AIR Act aims to modernize our approach to aviation investment by prioritizing long-term planning and ensuring aviation is at the table in statewide transportation discussions. We cannot continue to pick winners and losers in transportation policy and aviation must be treated as the essential infrastructure it is.

I respectfully invite you to join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to ensure Pennsylvania’s skies remain open and its communities remain connected.