Big Players Want Accelerated ATC Modernization, No New Taxes Or Fees

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade association for the leading U.S. airlines, released a written statement Thursday following the aviation forum called by the U.S. DOT.  Secretary Ray LaHood organized the closed-door meeting at the request the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department.  The stated purpose of the meeting was to bring together aviation stakeholders together to discuss the financial health of commercial aviation - an economic engine that drives 8 percent of global gross domestic product.

Airline executives participating in the forum called for:

• No new taxes and fees, which would burden an already overtaxed industry and travelers/shippers.
• Fully funded and accelerated modernization of the nation's air traffic control (ATC) system.
• Enhanced oversight of energy markets to excessive speculation and the resulting  volatility of oil prices.
• Elimination of arcane restrictions on airlines' ability to operate efficiently in the global marketplace.
• A global sectoral approach to climate change for aviation developed through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

"We appreciate that Secretary LaHood is taking this step to address the future health and competitiveness of the U.S. aviation industry," said ATA President and CEO James C. May (pictured, below). "The formation of a federal advisory committee of government and industry stakeholders, who will seek solutions to the challenges facing U.S. aviation in order to restore jobs and the financial health of our industry, is essential. Ultimately, a healthy airline industry will help drive the nation's economic recovery."

Annually, commercial aviation helps drive $1.1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. However, the U.S. airline industry has lost nearly $60 billion since 2001.

FMI: www.airlines.org