ACAA Urges Congress to Ensure the Future of Real Airline Competition
Ed Faberman, Executive Director of the Air Carrier Association of America testified on June 18, 2008 before the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on "Congestion Management in the New York Airspace".
In testimony presented to the Committee, Ed Faberman thanked the Committee for holding the hearing and emphasized that the "ACAA and its low-fare carrier members are dedicated to providing affordable airfare travel options to all American travelers who receive significant benefits when low-fare options are available in their community." He added that "we are at a point in time that if steps are not taken to ensure that the dream of deregulation will remain an essential part of U.S. airline service, we may see the disappearance of travel options for millions of travelers."
Ed Faberman provided comments on actions taken by the Department of Transportation to close all three New York airports -- LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark International Airport -- to any additional flights. The Department also noted that it was considering a proposal to auction departure and arrival authorizations at the airports to determine which carriers could operate at those airports in the future. Ed Faberman emphasized in his testimony that auction proposals could make it very difficult for smaller carriers to establish a reasonable competitive presence at those airports.
Ed Faberman concluded his testimony by stating, "Some of the actions being taken to address delays and congestion could forever close the door on competition and prevent the growth of small carriers at major airports. . . . Our dream of deregulation is to create a high tech, safe, "delay free" and secure system that maximizes consumer choices and ensures that low fares are available to all. Let's not make that dream just a memory. Instead, together let's make this dream a reality."
To express your support for increased airline competition, please contact your Member of Congress and Transportation Secretary Peters.
Faberman's full statement is available here.