For Release: Thursday, November 15, 2007
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE EXAMINES AIRLINE, AIRPORT PREPARATIONS FOR THE HOLIDAY TRAVEL RUSH

Washington - The House Aviation Subcommittee today held a hearing to examine the preparations by airlines and airports to handle the holiday travel rush. The aviation industry is projecting a 4% increase in holiday traffic over Thanksgiving. U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), Chairman of the Subcommittee, called the hearing as part of a series of hearings dedicated to consumer aviation issues. This is the third such hearing this year.

“The airline industry has had a very tough year in terms of customer service,” said Costello. “I called this hearing to hear directly from CEOs and airport executives regarding the concrete steps they are taking to anticipate problems and make the flying experience as pleasant as possible for air travelers. No one expects them to eliminate all delays, but it is how they mitigate delays and how they treat their customers when delays happen that matters.”

The witnesses noted that the airlines have hired additional staff, particularly customer relations personnel, will use enhanced communications with passengers to inform them about delays and time-saving practices, and have deployed improved technology to make processes more efficient. The airports have also added staff, and will have more food and water available and the necessary equipment to get passengers off of planes if necessary in case of long delays.

The Subcommittee heard testimony from Richard Anderson, CEO of Delta Airlines; David Barger, CEO of JetBlue Airlines; Edward P. Faberman, Executive Director of the Air Carrier Association; Krys T. Bart, Executive Director and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and the Chair of the American Association of Airport Executives; and Gregory Principato, President of the Airports Council International – North America.

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