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Aviation
As a Senator from West Virginia, Rockefeller is keenly aware of the challenges facing small and rural communities in maintaining adequate air service. To meet these challenges, he has consistently worked with West Virginia airport managers and local officials to protect existing service from any proposed cuts, and to insist that airlines consider West Virginia for service expansions and improvements. Senator Rockefeller has long understood that having adequate air service is not just a matter of convenience, it's an economic necessity. If West Virginia's people and businesses are to compete with larger, more urban areas in the United States and around the world, then the state must continue to be adequately linked to the nation's air transportation network. Toward that end, Senator Rockefeller helped create and expand two programs aimed at helping rural communities receive and maintain air service: The Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program, a competitive grant program designed to help communities attract new air service; and the Essential Air Service program (EAS), which provides a federal subsidy for air carriers to operate out of mostly rural areas.Without these important programs, many communities in West Virginia and nationwide would not have air service. Along with meeting the needs of West Virginia's air traveling public, Senator Rockefeller has fought to improve the security and safety of the nation's aviation system. In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Rockefeller co-authored legislation that created a federal workforce of professional security screeners, expanded the Air Marshall program, provided funding for reinforced cockpit doors, and implemented anti-hijack training for pilots and flight attendants. To improve aviation safety and efficiency, Senator Rockefeller is working to modernize our existing air traffic control system which is outdated and straining to keep pace with increases in commercial and private jet travel. To that end, he has co-authored legislation that would commit the necessary resources to replace the existing analog system with the next generation, digital air traffic control system. Seeking to improve airline service, Senator Rockefeller has authored legislation that requires the airline industry to provide their passengers with information on on-time arrivals and chronically delayed flights. The legislation also requires airlines to develop a plan for the deboarding of planes that are delayed on runways, and directs the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study on aircraft cabin air quality.Promoting Air Service and Keeping West Virginians Flying Reliable, affordable air service and modern airports are an important part of West Virginia's infrastructure and are absolutely necessary to continue to attract businesses and visitors to our state. To keep West Virginia's airport connected to the national aviation system, Senator Rockefeller has fought for increased funding for the Essential Air Service program and created the Small Community Air Service Development Pilot program. More...Maintaining Service and Improving Facilities Throughout his Senate career, and from his position on the Senate Aviation Subcommittee, Senator Rockefeller has been working continually with West Virginia airport managers and local officials to protect existing service from any proposed cuts and to insist that airlines consider the state for service expansions and improvements. More... After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Senator Rockefeller was a driving force behind making air travel more secure as one of the co-authors of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. His efforts led to the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) - the federal agency responsible for security at the airports and the screening of passengers and cargo bound for airplanes. More... Given the nature of our aviation system, delays on the runways at O'Hare or La Guardia will be felt by travelers in West Virginia and across the country. The fact is, when congestion increases, small communities are the first ones to lose flights or service. Senator Rockefeller believes that modernizing our air traffic control system and building new runways will allow commerce and people to keep moving. More... |
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