Duncan Faircloth: “this Sense of the Senate resolution puts the Senate on record about a transportation issue in the largest city in my…”

“this Sense of the Senate resolution puts the Senate on record about a transportation issue in the largest city in my State. The failure of this Administration to stand up for American carriers under our air services agreements with foreign governments is a serious issue. The unwillingness of this Administration to stand up for American interests undercuts our international position in critical negotiations and promotes intransigence amongst other parties to these negotiations. Specifically, Mr. President, this Administration has not fought to enforce the rights of American citizens, American communities, and American air carriers. Under the existing air services agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom, the so-called Bermuda II agreement, the United States has the right to designate a U.S. flag carrier to serve the Charlotte-London route. On February 20, 1998, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded this route to US Airways. US Airways announced its plans to launch nonstop service on May 7, 1998 and to compete with British Airways' monopoly on this route. With its network at Charlotte, US Airways was prepared to offer convenient one-stop service to the United Kingdom from dozens of cities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and the surrounding area. However, the government of the United Kingdom failed to provide US Airways with commercially viable landing and take-off rights at Gatwick Airport, London's secondary airport.”