HAI President visits lawmakers, warns against ATC privatization

HAI President visits lawmakers, warns against ATC privatization

8-May-2017 Source: HAI

On May 2, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing on Oversight of U.S. Airline Customer Service. Representatives from United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines testified at the well-attended hearing.

Addressing the airlines in his opening remarks, Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) commented, “As a general rule, I don’t believe in overburdening our businesses with regulation, or reregulating industries that have been successfully deregulated. But I shouldn’t need to remind you that Congress will not hesitate to act, whenever necessary, to ensure your customers are treated with the respect they deserve.”

During the hearing, Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) warned against privatizing air traffic control (ATC). He noted that 60 percent of flight delays are caused by issues within the airlines’ control. DeFazio further commented, “Now we’re being pressured by the airlines to privatize the air traffic control system and put them in effective control of the governing board. I think the airline industry needs to focus on getting its own house in order instead of extending its reach.”

As the hearing took place, Helicopter Association International (HAI) President and CEO Matthew Zuccaro was also on Capitol Hill, talking with lawmakers about the impact of ATC privatization on general aviation.

Zuccaro applauded DeFazio’s statement and provided his own comments on ATC privatization, “Why do the airlines feel they can effectively manage the ATC system for the entire U.S. national airspace, when they can’t manage customer service, as highlighted in today’s hearing? When 60 percent of flight delays are caused by issues within the airlines’ control, how will they provide additional efficiencies to the current gold standard of the U.S. ATC system? As Chairman Shuster pointed out, Congress will not hesitate to act to ensure customers receive the respect they deserve,” Zuccaro said.

“If ATC is handed over to an airline-dominated board and congressional oversight removed, how will Congress ensure general aviation — and the flying public — continue to receive the respect they deserve?”

Zuccaro concluded by reaffirming HAI’s commitment to improve U.S. aviation services. “We will work with Congress and the administration to craft common-sense policies aimed at implementing NextGen technology in a safe, efficient, cost-effective manner.”

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