FAA Funding Package Includes $22.2 Billion Budget, Prevents Partial Shutdown

The US Congress is weighing a funding package that would raise the Federal Aviation Administration’s budget to $22.2 billion for fiscal year 2026. The proposal includes funding for air traffic control operations, infrastructure upgrades, and the hiring of 2,500 additional air traffic controllers. Lawmakers must act quickly to avoid a partial government shutdown, which could disrupt certification activity, training programs, and administrative functions at the FAA. AeroTime reports that the National Air Transportation Association welcomed the funding increase but noted that the bill does not include separate safety legislation aimed at congested airports.