WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for modernization of the nation’s air traffic control system.  Stevens also called for coordination between the government and the airline industry when developing and implementing a modern air traffic control system during a Commerce Committee hearing on summer air travel.  Vice Chairman Stevens further noted the need for the airline industry to restructure itself in order to get through the current energy crisis.

The following statement was submitted for the record by Senator Stevens:

The summer travel season last year was certainly difficult for both the airlines and their passengers. The airline delays and cancellations experienced so far this year have impacted the schedules of many travelers.  This, coupled with the announced airline capacity and workforce reductions, has made for a very difficult summer and the situation does not look any brighter for the rest of the year. 

While most of the traveling public has become tolerant of modest flight delays, government agencies and the airlines need to take note of the lessons learned from previous summers.  I recognize delays will never be avoided altogether, but how we deal with them and track them can certainly be improved.   I understand the frustration felt as a result of airline delays and cancellations.  When I travel to Alaska, on average, the flight time from Washington D.C. to Anchorage can take almost 10 hours, and that does not include additional time due to flight delays.    

With the financial state of the airline industry, rising fuel costs, and a downturn in the economy, the government and the airlines are faced with the near impossible challenge of coping with those factors, while at the same time developing and implementing a modern air traffic control system to reduce delays and congestion.  The Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Congress are in a good position to significantly modernize our antiquated air traffic control system.  Coordination between the government and the airline industry on this effort is essential. 

Our nation is also confronted with a troubling energy crisis as well.  The cost of airline operations are increasing due to rising fuel costs, which has the greatest impact on rural states like Alaska.  The industry is going to have to restructure itself in order to become solvent, and it is important that it is done quickly.  The time is now to confront our energy needs and an essential component of that solution is producing and utilizing our domestic oil and gas reserves to increase supply.  The effect of utilizing domestic oil and gas reserves will go a long way towards bringing fuel prices down and creating a more stable aviation transportation system.

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