Atlantic County Times

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew announced his support for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024, ensuring the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center's permanent presence in South Jersey.

"I am thrilled to announce that our efforts to secure the FAA Technical Center as a permanent fixture in our South Jersey community have finally paid off," said Congressman Van Drew. "The inclusion of my provisions in the FAA Reauthorization will have a long-lasting impact on our local economy by creating new public and private sector jobs in research and technology which will grow our South Jersey aviation economy."

"In this bill, the Technical Center will also be renamed to the FAA William J. Hughes Center for Advanced Aerospace, expanding the FAA Technical Center to include opportunities to further improve aviation safety as well as develop and test drone technology," Congressman Van Drew explained. He emphasized the significance of these advancements in maintaining America's global aviation leadership against competitors like China.

Moreover, Congressman Van Drew expressed his satisfaction with the bill's additional amendments focused on enhancing air travel experiences for individuals with disabilities. "My provisions will transform the air travel experience of those with disabilities by requiring more communication and transparency from airlines, staff training for proper engagement with individuals with disabilities, and accessible designs to ensure a comfortable boarding and deplaning process," he stated.