2023 Highlights from Senator Moran's Team

Below are highlights from Senator Moran’s team regarding important accomplishments in 2023.

In January, Sen. Moran was named Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation which is responsible for drafting the next FAA Reauthorization bill. This is a great role to amplify the opportunities for Kansas and ensure its continued longstanding contribution to the aviation ecosystem. Since the beginning, Sen. Moran has stated the need for a long-term FAA reauthorization. He recently reiterated this on the Senate Floor and will continue beating that drum until a final FAA bill is passed.  

Also in January, Sen. Moran hosted SpaceX President & COO, Gwynne Shotwell, to Wichita to tour local suppliers. During the visit, they toured manufacturers including MAX Aerostructures, Accurus Aerospace and Spirit AeroSystems, and met with over 200 Kansans including local manufacturers, academia and community leaders who attended the reception at the historic B-29 Hangar.

Over the summer, Sen. Moran led the largest bipartisan congressional delegation ever to the Paris Air Show / Aviation & Defense Forum. It was also the largest Kansas delegation to attend the Paris Air Show. It was incredible to see Kansas so well represented on the global stage, including a Kansas focused reception that boasted 450 participants.

 Later this summer, Sen. Moran announced the first Kansas direct flight with our Nation’s Capital. The new flight connects Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Wichita to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. and are set to begin on January 8, 2024. This flight provides Kansans a direct connection to their federal officials and government agencies. Additionally, the flight will allow federal officials quick travel to Wichita to witness the great work being done in our region – amplifying our competitiveness as a city and state. You can book your flights at American Airlines here!

 This year also found Sen. Moran at a multitude of speaking engagements where he continued to advocate for the Kansas aviation ecosystem. Included below is a picture from his keynote speaker slot at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2023 Aerospace Summit. For the past two decades, government leaders and aerospace experts from across the world have gathered at the summit to discuss the latest developments, trends, challenges, and opportunities in both aviation and space. During his keynote, Sen. Moran continued to showcase how Kansas is poised to be at the forefront of this ever evolving industry.