For Release: Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO TO HOST ROUNDTABLE ON RUNWAY SAFETY

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, announced today that he will hold a roundtable with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board, the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers, the Air Line Pilots Association and the Government Accountability Office on January 16 to discuss runway safety and several close call incidents at the end of 2007. Costello requested a GAO study of runway safety that was released in December and the Aviation Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the topic in February.

“The United States has the safest air space in the world and we must be vigilant about keeping it that way,” said Costello. “The several recent near-miss incidents, coming after the GAO’s assessment that runway safety programs need more attention, are a wake up call. I want to continue a dialogue with these key players to make sure we are taking the necessary actions to maintain the safety of our air transportation system. Technology, staffing, funding - these are all issues that will be addressed.”

Part of the discussion will focus on the fact that several recent incidents occurred in the Chicago area. Costello helped author H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, which passed the full House of Representatives last fall. The bill includes a historic funding increase for operations at the FAA and numerous safety provisions. Getting a final version of the legislation passed into law is Costello’s highest priority for 2008.

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