NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2008 – The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization that represents leading U.S. airlines, today issued a statement regarding a report by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General (IG) on National Airspace System (NAS) usage. The report concludes that business jets (referred to as non-air carriers) are not fully paying for their proportional use of air traffic control (ATC ) services and contribute to air traffic congestion at the busiest towers – known as terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities.
ATA noted that, “An initial review of the report’s findings confirms what commercial airlines have long been saying – that business jets are being subsidized by commercial airlines and their customers. Business jets are also significant contributors to air traffic congestion, especially in busy metropolitan areas.” The report states that business jets have significant operations at the most active towers in the country. ‘More than half (53 percent) of non-air carrier operations occurred at the top third (162) most active towered airports,’ and their unscheduled peak flight times coincide with commercial airlines’ long scheduled peak times. For example, in the New York area, business jets were found to account, ‘…for 20 to 30 percent of the peak level of instrument approach operations at the New York TRACON.’
“The DOT IG report points clearly to the need for an equitable, cost-based funding system in order to properly modernize our ATC system and to prevent gridlock in the skies. The future of air travel depends not only on an upgraded ATC system, but on a fair and equitable funding system to pay for and support it. It is time for Congress to stop forcing the passenger in seat 28B to subsidize business jet travel.”
ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For additional information about the industry, visit www.smartskies.org.
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