Smart Skies > About > FAQs > What is the Trust Fund used for?

The AATF provides funding for improvements to the nation's airports and air traffic control system, through three capital accounts: Airport Improvement Program (AIP), Facilities and Equipment (F&E), and Research, Engineering and Development (RE&D). The Trust Fund also pays for the lion's share of the FAA operations budget, though this was not an original purpose of the Trust Fund.