A4A applauds Trump’s ATC privatization proposal
Tuesday, 17 Mar, 2017
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Industry trade group Airlines for America fully supports the Trump Administration’s proposal to privatize the nation’s air traffic control infrastructure.
Calling in a ‘bold step,’ the move to an independent, non-governmental organization will make it more efficient, A4A says.
"It will lead to the governance and funding reforms needed to move our air traffic control infrastructure into the 21st century," said A4A president and CEO Nicholas E. Calio.
"Our system is safe, but it is outdated and not as efficient as it should – or could – be. We need to stop accepting pockets of progress and put in place a modernized system that better serves the traveling and shipping public."
The group has long lobbied for the removal of ATC from Federal Aviation Administration control and putting it in an independent, not-for-profit organization.
In a release A4A cites an estimated $25 billion in 2016 alone caused by unnecessary delays.
A modernized, independently run ATC will offer enhanced safety, reduced delays, fuel savings, reduced emissions, increased capacity and greater operational efficiency, it claims.
However an ATC spin-off has also been criticized by groups concerned it gives major airlines too much power, which could lead to reduced access at airports for smaller operators.
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen said: "We know that the notion of privatizing ATC has for decades been pushed by large airlines. Under such a scenario, the small and mid-size towns that rely on access to general aviation for everything from civil services, to emergency support, to business access and more, could have their access to airports and airspace threatened."
"This is among the many important reasons NBAA has long been very concerned over the big airlines’ proposal. Simply put, privatization of the ATC system would benefit commercial airlines at the expense of the citizens, companies and communities that rely general aviation."
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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