Delays, congestion and federal rationing of airport access caused by lack of capacity is a disgrace to America's creativity and innovation. Rationing is an admission of failure and should be used only as a last resort. It's a reflection on America's ability to solve problems when artificial controls like slots, caps, peak hour and congestion pricing, depeaking, banning general aviation, re-regulation are used to manage congestion.
Passengers, air traffic controllers, pilots and those living around airports are fed up and want things to get better and not worse. Unless something's done it will get worse because U.S and world airline passengers will double by 2020. Growth of express mail, cargo, charters, general aviation and related aircraft operations will compound the problem.
Growth is not the problem. The problem is lack of nationwide aviation system capacity. FAA's still clings to the policy it has held for years that all that's needed to meet growth to 2025 is to expand the 35 busiest airports and new airports are not needed. Expanding existing congested airports with limited and costly expansion possibilities is a problem. ACI-NA estimates U.S. airports need $85 billion in infrastructure spending in the next few years to keep up with growth and aging facilities, even though airports have borrowed about $50 billion in the past five years for capital projects.
FAA knows they cannot require local/state governments to construct runways, terminals and other development even if shown on Airport Layout Plans (ALP's) they approved. FAA cannot make new supplemental airports happen nor can they assure the nation the 35 busiest airports will be expanded.
General Accountability Office (GAO) report National Airspace System-Long Term Planning Needed (GAO-02-185 December 2001) says FAA's plans "fall far short of meeting the systems growing needs unless passenger traffic remains at current levels and bolder more controversial measures must be considered such as building new airports". Obtain a copy at www.gao.gov or 1-202-512-6000 and check pages 23, 31 and 32.
Former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey says "If we fail to address issues such as increased capacity in a deliberate and focused way, we will suffocate the great engine of economic growth that civil aviation has become. We need the best minds in America across both public and private sectors working on the task of creating a next generation transportation system".
Former USDOT Secretary Mineta said in a speech to the Washington Aero Club we cannot predict what aviations future will bring-the American people deserve a system that will readily accommodate that new demand-seamlessly and safely. For that reason, we need to do something more. The changes that are coming are too big, too fundamental for incremental adaptations of infrastructure. If the United States wants to retain its global air transportation leadership-and we do-we need to modernize and transform our air transportation system starting right now. Our economy depends on it".
Expansion of the 35 busiest hubs to meet 2025 demands as FAA proposes is incremental adaptations of infrastructure. Secretary Mineta says this should not be done.
America needs a solution to the nationwide problem of delays and congestion that are worse today than when Wayports was introduced years ago. FAA came up with a solution in a study "CHALLENGE 2010" favorable to Wayports which was never distributed or sent to Congress as directed. Copies are available upon request.
