Say Removing Air Traffic Control From FAA Would Help Stabilize Its Funding

Air traffic control should be removed from the auspices of the FAA and taken over by a not-for-profit corporation in an effort to stabilize its funding, according to a group of airline executives.

USA Today reports that a group of airline CEOs held a conference call with reporters Tuesday in which they said such a corporation with a board of industry stakeholders could modernize the system more quickly than the FAA, and adopt more efficient routing for airlines.

American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told reporters that airlines are looking for "transformational change to the way that the air-traffic control system is financed and governed."

A4A CEO Nick Calio said that while he knows there are skeptics in the industry and in Congress, legislation creating the not-for-profit corporation could be passed in the next four months. Such legislation has been discussed by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), the chair of the House Transportation Committee. He said he will introduce a privatization measure as part of the FAA reauthorization bill expected to be finalized by the end of March.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx have both said they are open to such discussions, but at least one major airline, Delta, is opposed to privatization. The airline resigned from A4A over the disagreement, and for other reasons, earlier this year.

FMI: www.airlines.org, http://transportation.house.gov