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PROBLEM 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". 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. Delays,
congestion and proposed 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 are fed up and want things to get better and not worse. Those
living near airports and urban areas are experiencing noise, air pollution and emissions and surface congestion and need to
be relieved. Greenhouse gases are intensified by thousands of aircraft operations in the air and on the ground that are delayed
waiting to land or takeoff. Unless something's done it will get worse because U.S and world airline passengers
will double by 2025. 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. FAA recently offered 1M to a major hub that is severely congested and has over 65% connecting/transfer
passengers some of which could be at a supplemental airport. The airline with over 60% of the business at the hub said they
would not support or approve a supplemental airport because they controlled much of the passenger business. They instead recommended
what's been happening at major hubs, build more runways. Contined expansion of the 35 busiest hubs to meet long-term demands as FAA proposes is incremental
adaptations of infrastructure which Secretary Mineta says 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.
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