WASHINGTON, DC, February 4, 2008 – The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) issued the following statement regarding today’s release of the fiscal year 2009 budget:

"Despite Congress saying "no" to the Administration’s proposal to scrap the current funding mechanism for a less efficient one that imposes user fees, they have once again launched an effort to complete a FAA reauthorization bill by proposing the exact same failed plan," said GAMA’s President and CEO, Pete Bunce.

"GAMA continues to categorically oppose user fees of all types on any segment of the aviation community. We will continue our efforts with Congress to complete action this year on a FAA reauthorization bill, but quite frankly, the Administration pushing a financing scheme the Congress has already rejected makes our job tougher.” Bunce added, “It is pretty hard to believe the Administration is serious about increasing capacity when they again cut Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding by nearly 22 percent.”