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Stevens Calls for Modernization of Nation’s
Air Traffic Control System
Says Coordination between Government and Airline Industry is Essential
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for modernization
of the nation’s air traffic control system. Stevens also called for coordination
between the government and the airline industry when developing and implementing
a modern air traffic control system during a Commerce Committee hearing on
summer air travel. Vice Chairman Stevens further noted the need for the airline
industry to restructure itself in order to get through the current energy
crisis.
The following statement was submitted for the record by Senator Stevens:
The summer travel season last year was certainly difficult for both the airlines
and their passengers. The airline delays and cancellations experienced so far
this year have impacted the schedules of many travelers. This, coupled with the
announced airline capacity and workforce reductions, has made for a very
difficult summer and the situation does not look any brighter for the rest of
the year.
While most of the traveling public has become tolerant of modest flight delays,
government agencies and the airlines need to take note of the lessons learned
from previous summers. I recognize delays will never be avoided altogether, but
how we deal with them and track them can certainly be improved. I understand the
frustration felt as a result of airline delays and cancellations. When I travel
to Alaska, on average, the flight time from Washington D.C. to Anchorage can
take almost 10 hours, and that does not include additional time due to flight
delays.
With the financial state of the airline industry, rising fuel costs, and a
downturn in the economy, the government and the airlines are faced with the near
impossible challenge of coping with those factors, while at the same time
developing and implementing a modern air traffic control system to reduce delays
and congestion. The Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation
Administration, and Congress are in a good position to significantly modernize
our antiquated air traffic control system. Coordination between the government
and the airline industry on this effort is essential.
Our nation is also confronted with a troubling energy crisis as well. The cost
of airline operations are increasing due to rising fuel costs, which has the
greatest impact on rural states like Alaska. The industry is going to have to
restructure itself in order to become solvent, and it is important that it is
done quickly. The time is now to confront our energy needs and an essential
component of that solution is producing and utilizing our domestic oil and gas
reserves to increase supply. The effect of utilizing domestic oil and gas
reserves will go a long way towards bringing fuel prices down and creating a
more stable aviation transportation system.
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