Aviation Policy

Holland & Knight's Aviation Group includes a team of attorneys who focus their practice on aviation policy. The hallmark of our service is our dedication to helping clients solve difficult funding and policy issues through effective government relations strategies. We work with airlines, airports and aviation industry suppliers on a daily basis in their efforts to partner with key federal agencies at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CPB).

Our extensive experience in working with aviation and homeland security policy makers on the appropriations and authorizing committees of the United States Congress provides us with great insight into the policy making process. This deep level of experience and understanding is why the nation's largest airline and the nation's busiest airport, among many others, entrust Holland & Knight to support their efforts before the United States Congress.

Airlines

Domestic and international airlines are subject to a robust regulatory structure. Those regulations often begin on Capitol Hill as Congress funds key aviation investments and authorizes federal agencies’ policy through rulemaking. Communication with policy makers about the operational, safety, security and efficiency impacts of federal action is often a decisive factor in the process and our experience in this area is extensive. Following is a brief sampling of our airline-related work before key federal agencies:

• identifying funding for air traffic control equipment
• identifying funding for ground-based efficiency and safety equipment
• accelerating the implementation of key operational advancements
• assisting approval of mergers and acquisitions
• monitoring and advising on key legislative policy developments and changes

Airports

Over the years, our Aviation Policy Team has been instrumental in assisting airport clients in their efforts to develop and operate safe and efficient ground-based services. We regularly work with some of the largest airports in the nation and have worked with airport authorities and municipal aviation departments alike. Members of our team understand the often difficult budget gaps that exist and the relevant policy issues associated with key funding mechanisms such as the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Passenger Facility Charges (PFC). By working in collaboration with colleagues on our firm's Aviation Regulatory Team, we are able to help airports develop responses to policy changes from early stages on Capitol Hill to compliance at the federal agencies.

In addition, we regularly assist our airport clients with the following issues:

• funding for terminal related infrastructure
• funding for air traffic control equipment
• funding for ground access facilities
• funding for federal inspection service and attendant issues such as TSA and CBP staffing levels
• noise abatement issues
• environmental impacts of airport operations

Aviation and Homeland Security Industry Suppliers

Recognizing that the aviation industry includes hundreds of suppliers and vendors to airlines, airports and the federal government, our team is a key provider of government affairs assistance to companies around the nation. We regularly develop and implement strategies for suppliers and vendors to identify and partner with customers in industry and government. As a part of our firmwide commitment to the aviation industry, our policy professionals have:

• introduced suppliers to airlines
• introduced suppliers to airports
• facilitated discussions with key trade associations
• developed and implemented strategies for partnering with federal government agencies
• advocated for policy updates on Capitol Hill that affect suppliers