Government, Regulatory & Environmental Affairs

Issue Briefs

ATA covers a wide range of issues from energy to security to environmental. Below you will find issue briefs that highlight ATA's position on important issues facing our members and the airline industry.

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ATA Policy Priorities - FAA Reauthorization

The U.S. airline industry is in serious decline – record-high fuel prices are hitting the airlines harder each day. Recently, seven airlines have either filed for bankruptcy protection and stopped operations or are continuing to operate under bankruptcy protection. Skyrocketing fuel prices are causing airlines to drop unprofitable routes and have resulted in more than 7,000 airline jobs being lost. The government can take steps to offset these draconian consequences for airline passengers – enact a sound National Energy Policy and refrain from imposing new taxes on airline passengers.

U.S. Airlines Support Development of Alternative Fuels

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) strongly supports the development of alternatives to traditional oil-based jet fuel. (December 2007)

Don’t Raise Taxes on Airline Passengers - Support the Lampson-Poe-Shuler Amendment to Eliminate the PFC Increase

ATA Encourages Members of Congress to Vote Against Raising the Passenger Facility Charge. (September 2007)

US-VISIT Biometric Exit

ATA member airlines support the full implementation of US-VISIT Biometric Exit (Exit) at all air, sea and land ports of departure. (May 2007)

Mandating Blast-Resistant Air Cargo Containers Will Not Improve Air Cargo Security

While several proposals have been offered in Congress to require the use of blast-resistant containers for carriage of “suspect” cargo, ATA believes the federal government should rely on a robust, layered security system to achieve the goal of screening all cargo on passenger aircraft. (February 2007)

FAA’s Proposed Rule On Demand Management At LaGuardia Airport

The FAA’s proposal is overreaching and exceeds FAA’s authority to ensure safe and efficient utilization of airspace. (January 2007)

Air Cargo Security - The Airlines View

The ATA member airlines are firmly committed to ensuring the highest possible level of security and continue to implement measures that further protect the critical air cargo industry balancing both security and practicability. (January 2007)

Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B)

As envisioned by ATA, ADS-B will ultimately enable real-time cockpit displays of weather and traffic, both on the ground and in the air. (January 2008)

Counter MANPADS Deployment - What's the Debate About

What is the MANPADS debate all about? (October 2006)

Airspace Reform Concepts

ATA and its member airlines believe that the current air traffic system is severely constrained. This human-centric, maintenance-intensive, ground-based system can no longer keep pace with user demand. Transformation will be difficult, but not because of a lack of technology. (March 2006)

Statement of Principles: Airport and Airway Trust Fund Reauthorization

The Air Transport Association supports the establishment of a new “cost-based” mechanism for generating revenues necessary to maintain, operate and enhance the national airspace system. (February 2006)

Air Transport Association - A Background

Founded by a group of 14 airlines meeting in Chicago in 1936, it was the first, and today remains, the only trade organization for the principal U.S. airlines.