December 12, 2008
The Honorable Steny Hoyer
Majority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
H-107 U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable John Boehner
Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
H-204 U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Majority Leader Hoyer and Minority Leader Boehner:
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before the Congress, federal agencies and state governments. NATA’s 2,000 member companies own, operate and service aircraft. These companies provide for the needs of the traveling public by offering services and products to aircraft operators and others such as fuel sales, aircraft maintenance, parts sales, storage, rental, airline servicing, flight training, Part 135 on-demand air charter, fractional aircraft program management and scheduled commuter operations in smaller aircraft. NATA members are a vital link in the aviation industry providing services to the general public, airlines, general aviation, and the military.
On behalf of NATA, I am writing to urge you to provide aviation infrastructure funding in the next economic stimulus package when the 111th Congress convenes in January. As you know, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing “Investing in Infrastructure: The Road to Recovery” on October 29, 2008, which examined how infrastructure investment contributes to job creation and economic recovery. The committee calculated that $30 billion dedicated to transportation infrastructure would create or sustain more than 834,000 jobs. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), $600 million in aviation infrastructure projects within the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) alone would permit essential ready-to-go projects such as taxiway rehabilitation and widening, apron construction and rehabilitation, airport rescue and firefighting equipment and facilities, and public access roads to proceed without further delay.
The impact of inadequate infrastructure is more costly than investment in infrastructure. A significant increase in air traffic congestion is one factor felt by most of the traveling public. In 2007, 1.8 million flights were delayed, the highest number reported by the Department of Transportation. If infrastructure improvements aren’t made by 2014, flight delays will increase by 62% and cost approximately $170 billion.
The most critical investment is modernization of the air traffic control system (NextGen), vitally important to the U.S. economy. NextGen addresses the impact of air traffic growth by increasing the capacity of the national airspace system by improving efficiencies, increasing safety, and reducing the environmental impact of emissions. The delay of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007 has halted critical infrastructure projects essential to our airports’ ability to generate economic benefits and essential to safety and security at our nation’s airports.
NATA and its member companies hope you will make aviation infrastructure a priority in the upcoming economic stimulus package, demonstrating Congress’ commitment to investing in essential aviation infrastructure.
Sincerely,
James K. Coyne
President
cc: The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
cc: The Honorable Harry Reid
cc: The Honorable Mitch McConnell