For Release: Thursday, October 18, 2007
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO CALLS ON SECRETARY PETERS TO INCLUDE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS AND PILOTS IN TALKS TO REDUCE CONGESTION IN NEW YORK AIR SPACE

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, today urged Transportation Secretary Mary Peters to include air traffic controllers and pilots in talks concerning reducing congestion in the New York airspace.

In a letter to the Secretary, Costello wrote:

“….No one is better suited to discuss ways of improving congestion and delays and the practical implications of altering policies and procedures, then our air traffic controllers and our nation’s pilots….It is disconcerting to me that this Administration continues to shut out ALL interested stakeholders, in particular labor, when making important operational and safety critical decisions. I firmly believe a more fulsome discussion and better policy can be achieved when everyone works together to correct the problem.”

letter from Chairman Costello to Secretary Peters
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

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