The Air Transport Association (ATA), an industry trade group composed of major U.S. airlines, argues—among other things—that the current version of the proposed FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009 doesn’t go far enough to cut delays.
In a letter addressed to two key leaders of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, ATA President and CEO James C. May asserts, “The current legislation does not make the needed changes to ensure acceleration of air traffic control modernization, and hinders [airlines’] ability to regain financial stability.”
Among other things, ATA wants the final version of the act to:
— Expedite investment in and deployment of the long-awaited NextGen (next-generation) air traffic control system, a system designed to cut delays;
— Reject increasing taxes and fees on airline passengers. ATA contends increased levies “will…further reduce demand for travel;”
— Preserve “the integrity of the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP).” According to FAA, ASAP “encourages voluntary reporting of safety issues and events that come to the attention of [airline] employees;”
— Allow airlines to “continue improving customer service without imposing unsafe or unreasonable deplaning requirements.” ATA is referring to calls by passenger rights organizations to get Congress to impose a rule requiring that passengers stuck on the tarmac for three hours be allowed to get off the aircraft. ATA maintains such a “hard and fast rule…will create more inconvenience for passengers and lead to even more flight cancellations.”
© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler
