Regulations and Government
Key Lawmaker Introduces ATC Privatization Bill
Rep. Mica introduces privatization bill as FAA reauthorization talks increasingly focus on ATC governance.

Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), the former chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has introduced a bill to overhaul the U.S. air traffic control (ATC) system. The bill, H.R.1835, would transfer the air traffic control services and functions to a newly established private corporation. ATC employees would have stock in the corporation, which would be established through the consultation with representatives from the controllers, airlines, passengers and pilots' groups. Except to reference the issuance of securities, the bill does not directly address the funding of the organization. But it does stipulate the corporation would not be “a department, agency or establishment of the U.S.”