Cord Byrd: “Today we are considering the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA]. The FAA performs a critical…”

“Today we are considering the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA]. The FAA performs a critical role in managing our nation's air traffic control system, which handles two takeoffs and landings of aircraft every second of every hour of every day. Yet most Americans are unaware of the complexity and scope of this system, and simply take it for granted. Nonetheless, the deregulation of the airlines and expansion of the air transportation system have imposed significant strains upon the existing system. Some air control centers are using older equipment that is not as reliable as what is currently available. Other centers, that lack both equipment and sufficient numbers of air traffic controllers, are forced to delay flights. Reform of the FAA is needed, because increasing demand for air travel will only exacerbate these problems at our nation's major airports. My own state of West Virginia, however, does not have a major hub airport. We have not had to worry about delays of frequently scheduled, and low-priced flights. Our problems have been of an entirely different magnitude. We have had to endure the cancellation of flights, the end of airline service to some of our communities, and a huge increase in fares charged to passengers who fly out of airports in West Virginia. This dramatic decline in airline service to my state has occurred as a result of airline deregulation.”