U.S. Chamber Welcomes New Aviation Report

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce noted a Department of Transportation report released today showed increased airline customer complaints are a direct result of serious transportation capacity problems and an outdated air traffic control system that cannot be solved by the airline industry. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

"Before we worry about passenger rights, we need an aviation infrastructure bill of rights," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber president and CEO. "Rather than imposing burdensome new federal rules on the airlines, Congress needs to focus on fixing the underlying crisis by streamlining the approval process for new runways and modernizing the air traffic control system."

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain will hold a hearing on the report, issued by the DOT Inspector General's Office, tomorrow.

The report said that the airlines have made significant improvements in customer service, but urged the industry to do more. At the same time, it recognized that passenger complaints from delays stem from the nation's capacity crisis.

"The airlines deserve credit for what they have already done, and they can do more, but Congress cannot expect the airlines to do the impossible and fix the gridlock problem," said Donohue. "Both Congress and the Bush administration must address the chronic failure of our nation's aviation infrastructure to keep pace with the enormous demands on the system."

The number of U.S. airline passengers increased 27 percent in the last five years to more than 655 million. Within this decade, the system will be overwhelmed by one billion passengers annually. Meanwhile, new runways planned for congested airports will not be completed for as many as 15 years, according to the Chamber.

"We must build more runways and a modern air traffic control system that can meet our need to move people and packages more efficiently and safely," said Donohue. "In 1998, delays and congestion cost the industry, its passengers and its shippers over $5 billion. These costs have certainly escalated since then."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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