LABTA Supports Use Of Stimulus Funds For Airport Improvements, NextGen

The Los Angeles Business Travel Association on Monday issued a statement urging Congress to support President Obama's call for funding NextGen.

The Obama Administration is proposing a "robust investment" in the development of FAA's NextGen ATC system, which Congress has not yet determined how to fund. The President also proposed to rehabilitate or reconstruct 150 miles of runways at U.S. Airports.

"A more accurate satellite-based ATC system will increase the margin safety for air travelers, reduce flight delays, increase fuel efficiency for airlines – all of which are a direct benefit to business travelers," said Frank Dolce, Director of Legislative Affairs.

Dolce said federal funding for runways can benefit Los Angeles travelers by hastening safety improvements to the north airfield at LAX. Specifically, separating the runways on the north side will permit construction of a center taxiway – something the FAA has urged for more than decade.  A similar project on the south airfield significantly reduced runway incursions, Dolce noted.

The Los Angeles Business Travel Association (LABTA) is the largest west coast chapter of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA). LABTA represents more than 250 business travel professions including corporate and government travel, meeting managers, and travel service providers in five counties in Southern California.

FMI: www.labta.org