ACI-NA Applauds Administration for Urging Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill

CONTACT:

Eileen Denne, edenne@aci-na.org (202) 293-4537
Megan Miller, mmiller@aci-na.org (202) 861-8080

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. (November 15, 2007) -Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) applauded President Bush and Department of Transportation Secretary (DOT) Mary Peters' announcement today of new Administration actions aimed at reducing flight delays and protecting passenger rights during the busy holiday travel season and beyond.

President Bush also spoke to the importance of passing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill this year, as it will help modernize Air Traffic Control, expand capacity, and ease congestion and delays for travelers.

"Airports applaud President Bush for urging passage of an FAA reauthorization bill this year," said ACI-NA President Greg Principato. "Demand for air travel has stretched the nation's aviation infrastructure to its breaking point, and FAA projections indicate it is only going to get worse. A long term FAA reauthorization bill will help passengers by providing airports the financing tools necessary to plan and build critical safety, security and capacity projects. Without new runways or expanded terminals, airports will become chokepoints in the aviation system, creating air travel gridlock and slowing commerce.

"Airports also commend Secretary Peters for issuing the final rule that will increase maximum compensation for passengers who have purchased a ticket but are involuntarily bumped from a seat on the aircraft," said Principato. "Passengers should be fairly compensated for the inconvenience this causes."

Airports are often required to assist passengers when they are delayed or involuntarily denied boarding. Given the fact that both airfares and load factors are rising, ACI-NA supported the increase in the maximum amount available to passengers as denied boarding compensation.

About ACI-NA:
The mission of Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) is to advocate policies and provide services that strengthen the ability of air carrier airports to serve their passengers, customers and communities. ACI-NA represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Nearly 400 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the five worldwide regions of Airports Council International.