ATA corresponds frequently with government entities. Here you will find letters that ATA has sent on behalf of our members.
ATA responds to the Department of Agriculture’s one month delay of the IFR increasing the APHIS fee. While the delay is a step in the right direction, ATA is concerned about the pattern of using emergency exceptions to the notice-and-comment rulemaking requirements. ATA’s member airlines still object to the “emergency” implementation of this fee and urge the department to withdraw the IRF and open the matter to notice-and-comment rulemaking. (9/28/2009)
ATA writes House Aviation Subcommittee leadership, addressing concerns with the new pilot qualifications proposed in Section 10 of the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act, H.R. 3371 (10/16/2009)
While ATA appreciated the opportunity to testify at the November 16 hearing regarding H.R. 4016, we, and our member airlines, maintain that the enactment of Section 201 of the bill is not warranted at this time. A proposed PHSMA lithium battery rule that will address this specific issue is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Additionally, the proposed legislation will effectively prohibit the transport of consumer electronics and lithium-ion batteries on all passenger aircraft.
ATA writes APHIS Administrator Cindy Smith requesting specific questions and concerns be addressed during the October 27 public meeting regarding the APHIS fee increase. (10/23/2009)
ATA letter to air cargo shippers regarding the congressionally mandated August 2010 deadline for 100 percent screening of all cargo on passenger planes, and outlining ATA support for the TSA Certified Cargo Screening Program. (Sept. 8, 2009)
ATA writes U.S. Special Envoy to Climate Change, Todd Stern, urging the climate negotiator to oppose a proposal for a climate change tax targeted at the airlines and their passengers to fund projects in developing countries. (10/30/2009)
ATA works with many regulatory agencies, congressional committees and administration offices. This section provides links to those entities.
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ATA covers a wide range of issues from energy to security to environmental. In this section, you will find issue briefs that highlight ATA's position on important issues facing our members and the airline industry.
ATA has joined with the International Air Transport Association in agreeing to an ambitious set of efficiency targets that take a global, sectoral approach to mitigating GHG emissions from aviation. The commitment, which would require significant fuel efficiency improvements through 2020 and a cap on industry-wide CO2 emissions after that time, will provide significant environmental benefits and give the International Civil Aviation Organization the time it needs to complete and implement a global framework for regulating GHG emissions.
As airlines continue to lose money ($55 billion in cumulative losses from 2001 to 2008) the need for additional sources of revenue is obvious. As a result, many airlines are charging fees for certain passenger services. Ancillary fees are mostly for optional services and allow airlines to avoid increasing fares for all passengers. These fees are not for transportation and should not be subject to the federal excise tax.
ATA has joined with the International Air Transport Association in agreeing to an ambitious set of efficiency targets that take a global, sectoral approach to mitigating GHG emissions from aviation. The commitment, which would require significant fuel efficiency improvements through 2020 and a cap on industry-wide CO2 emissions after that time, will provide significant environmental benefits and give the International Civil Aviation Organization the time it needs to complete and implement a global framework for regulating GHG emissions.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has proposed a new account ownership and control report covering trading accounts on U.S. regulated exchanges. The new report would provide greater transparency and information about trading across those platforms and it would aid the CFTC in efforts to protect consumers from excessive volatility and speculation, market manipulation and other trading abuses. ATA comments support the proposed report and recommend that the Commission consider mechanisms to obtain the same information from non-U.S. accounts and from the OTC market. (August 13, 2009)
ATA filed comments expressing serious and broad concerns about the FAA proposed regulation that would rewrite pilot, flight attendant, flight engineer and dispatcher training requirements. In particular, ATA believes that the proposal could adversely impact current ‘best practice’ training programs – a result neither the FAA nor the industry want to see. (August 12, 2009)
ATA comments support FAA’s proposal to rescind the slot confiscation and auction rules for LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty airports. ATA also urges the FAA to permit slots to be sold and leased on a long-term basis. (June 15, 2009)
The Air Transport Association filed comments with FERC on the "Composition of Proxy Groups for Determining Gas and Oil Pipeline Return on Equity". (August 30, 2007)
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ATA provides the House and Senate committees and sub-committees expert testimony on a wide variety of issues. This section provides ATA oral and written testimonies.
ATA and the airline industry commend the NextGen Task Force for laying out specific areas for FAA to focus on to ensure the benefits of modernization are realized. NowGen cannot become a reality without decisive leadership and a financial commitment from the Federal Government. Government funding and leadership can make NowGen a reality in several years, and achieve results such as improving safety, decreasing delays for passengers, and reducing aviation emissions. (October 28, 2009)
The airline industry continues to work diligently to respond to the FAA’s “Call to Action” in response to the Buffalo accident. ATA members have achieved an extraordinary safety record, and it continues to be our top priority. (September 23, 2009)
ATA testimony by Delta Air Lines Senior Vice President and General Counsel Ben Hirst before the House Agriculture Committee regarding the need to strengthen oversight of commodity derivative markets. (9/17/2009)
The airline industry provides concrete suggestions for ways Congress can work towards enhancing energy independence and environmental protection, while ensuring that the economy gets back on track. (June 9, 2009)
ATA participates as a litigant or amicus curiae in litigation matters concerning a wider range of legal and regulatory issues having a significant policy or precedential impact on the industry. In this section, you will find ATA briefs and other filings in these important cases.
ATA and three of its individual airline filed a legal action in the United Kingdom challenging the first stage of the UK’s Aviation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations. The Q&A explains why ATA initiated this legal action and addresses some frequently asked questions about the action.
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