Energy, environment and natural resources

Executive Order 13479: Transformation of the National Air Transportation System

President: George W. Bush

Directed federal coordination of the Next Generation Air Transportation System.

Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13479 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13479 remains in effect. See Federal Register record.

What does Executive Order 13479 do?

GAO reported in 2009 that agencies had issued key plans, while management and accountability issues remained despite the order.

Administration position: The coordination order did not itself fund aviation upgrades or resolve all oversight concerns.
SignedNovember 18, 2008
Original directionDirected federal coordination of the Next Generation Air Transportation System.
Later evidenceGAO reported in 2009 that agencies had issued key plans, while management and accountability issues remained despite the order.
Review dateSeptember 26, 2026

Before and after

Before the order

NextGen planning involved FAA and other agencies with fragmented roles.

After the order

GAO reported in 2009 that agencies had issued key plans, while management and accountability issues remained despite the order.

The coordination order did not itself fund aviation upgrades or resolve all oversight concerns.

Who had to do what

Source: Signed Federal Register text.
Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Secretary of TransportationImplement NextGen within lawful authority and recommend presidential action; convene the Senior Policy Committee; establish support staff and an aviation advisory committee.Committee quarterly unless less frequent meetings remain effective; support staff within 60 days of November 18, 2008; advisory committee within 180 days.
Secretary of DefenseCollaborate and verify that NextGen meets national-defense needs; supply appropriate data streams integrating civil and military capabilities; coordinate noncooperative-aircraft requirements with Homeland Security as appropriate.During NextGen implementation; no fixed deadline.
Secretary of CommerceDevelop and make available appropriate aviation-weather, spectrum-management, and other capabilities; account for NextGen in trade, commerce, standards, and other departmental activities.During NextGen implementation; no fixed deadline.
Secretary of Homeland SecurityEnsure NextGen includes needed aviation-security capabilities; continue aviation security, border security, and infrastructure-protection duties in consultation with Defense as appropriate.During NextGen implementation; no fixed deadline.
Administrator of NASACarry out duties under Executive Order 13419 consistently with that order and the NextGen policy.During implementation; no separate deadline.
Heads of executive departments and agenciesProvide Transportation with necessary and appropriate information, personnel, and other support resources as agreed among the agency heads involved.As necessary and agreed; Transportation support staff due within 60 days.
Director of the Office of Management and BudgetMay issue instructions for Senior Policy Committee review of agency program proposals affecting NextGen.As necessary; no fixed deadline.
Senior Policy CommitteeReport progress, projected implementation, recommendations, and performance measures through Transportation; review agency proposals to OMB and recommend action; advise Transportation and, through it, the other named agency heads.Report to the President at least every two years; proposal reviews and advice as applicable.
Aviation advisory committeeAdvise Transportation and, through it, the Senior Policy Committee on implementation, aviation subjects, and specified performance measures.After establishment within 180 days of November 18, 2008.
Later actionGAO reported in 2009 that agencies had issued key plans, while management and accountability issues remained despite the order.2009

What happened next

EO 13479 signed.