Durbin files amendment to support small airports

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) is pushing for a change to a federal bill to help small airports across the country.

In an amendment to the bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration, Durbin asks for the government to conduct a study on how the federal government can leverage existing programs to help at small, nonhub airports like Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield offer more convenient airline services.

He filed the amendment with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who said some communities in Iowa have also lost their regularly scheduled air services.

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“As a frequent flyer who relies on the service at Springfield’s airport, I know that maintaining adequate service at our states’ smaller regional airports is critical,” Durbin said. “This bipartisan amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill, with Senator Grassley, would help ensure that regional airports are not left behind.”

Durbin also said he hopes to see the final version of this legislation include serious support for local airports as many downstate Illinoisans who rely on their flights.

In February, Durbin joined Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) asking American Airlines to improve their flight plans at the Springfield airport.

Illinois members of Congress urge airline to improve service at Springfield airport

The FAA bill authorizes more than $105 billion in spending for the Federal Aviation Administration from fiscal year 2024 through 2028, with funding going towards services like improving airports, modernizing airspace technology and hiring air traffic controllers.

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