Trent Lott: “despite the fact that the Senate passed S. 2279, the Wendell H. Ford National Air Transportation System Improvement Act…”

“despite the fact that the Senate passed S. 2279, the Wendell H. Ford National Air Transportation System Improvement Act of 1998, it looks like next year will be the year for aviation. This is disappointing, since S. 2279 promised to bring much needed air service to underserved communities throughout the Nation--a promise that will be delayed. The first session of the 106th Congress should prove to be an important year for our Nation's air passengers. My top aviation policy priority remains to increase regional jet competition and flight service to smaller markets. Most Americans do not live in 'Hub' cities and thus do not benefit from the range of choices and concentration of air service options. I look forward to working with my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, and on the Commerce Committee to insure that rural and underserved communities receive adequate air transportation with improved flight service and more affordable airline tickets. Commerce Committee Chairman McCain has been a tremendous help. He understands the needs of underserved markets, and fully appreciates that adequate and affordable air service is a vital economic development issue for smaller cities. He too wants to improve the quality and quantity of flights originating from smaller airports. He gets it. I look forward to working with the chairman to build upon the principles set forth in the Ford Act.”