Norton's Work on FAA Reauthorization Protects Regional Airports (9/20/07)

Norton's Work on FAA Reauthorization Protects Regional Airports
September 20, 2007

Washington, DC-As the House passed the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the only regional member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, and her regional colleagues succeeded in keeping the House from adding flights at National Airport. It will now be necessary to fight in conference against a Senate committee amendment that increased the number of slots inside the perimeter to 28 daily flights from 20, and outside the perimeter to 36 daily flights from 24. During FAA reauthorizations, Norton repeatedly has had to battle attempts by members of Congress, particularly in the Senate, to add slots and take other actions "as if Reagan National were their own personal airport," she said.

Norton said, "Regional members and I have been successful in keeping out House amendments to add air traffic to National. I will seek the help of the Maryland and Virginia senators to do the same. Members must cease interfering with Reagan National for their own convenience, bringing even more noise, pollution and traffic congestion to this area." The current reauthorization legislation shifts some existing flights outside the perimeter slots to other times and offers these slots to new entrants at National. This reordering does not increase slots, but could increase competition and entice low cost carriers to National, an airport where current airlines command a premium, placing residents of the region at a disadvantage.

Norton works closely with the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA), which she says has done an excellent job since Congress agreed to turn over the operation of National and Dulles Airports to a regional authority in 1986. Before today's vote, the Congresswoman also conferred with MWAA Chairman H.R. Crawford, a former D.C. Councilmember. "MWAA has balanced concerns of safety, security and efficiency at our airports. As a result, National has avoided some of the delays that plague other airports and has served the region in a comprehensive fashion, while Dulles has thrived as an international and national hub," Norton said. "We must allow professionals to do what only professionals are equipped to do."

The Aviation Subcommittee will hold hearings on other "unfinished business," that Norton says still severely hampers general aviation and charter flights at National. After 9/11, security measures drastically reduced the number of general aviation aircraft, while at New York airports, for example, these flights have returned to pre-9/11 levels.