Office of Public Affairs
Prepared Remarks for
Secretary Ray LaHood
FAA Forecast Conference
March 31, 2009
On behalf of President Obama, I am delighted to be here to discuss the Department of Transportation’s role in helping to ensure a bright future for aviation.
Everywhere I go, I tell people that the DOT has some of the smartest, hardest working people in government – and that includes the FAA career staff, who are doing a remarkable job at a challenging time.
This Administration is committed to investing in the infrastructure, the technology, and the people that our aviation system requires to move ahead in the 21st century.
Civil aviation is one of the most critical components of our economy – contributing 1.2 trillion dollars annually, and generating 11 million high paying jobs.
To compete globally – and serve the flying public effectively – we must do all we can to bring fresh ideas and new approaches to bear on the challenges before us.
Clearly, aviation needs to be a key part of our economic recovery.
The good news is we are currently in the safest period in commercial aviation history – and every day, we are doing everything we can to continue that.
At the same time, we mourn the tragic loss of life in the accidents that have occurred over the last couple of months. Once the NTSB completes its investigations, we will be able to use the lessons from these tragedies to make our safe system even safer.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is going to help us get there. It’s a terrific boost for aviation.
It provides funds to jump-start many essential improvements that will enhance aviation safety and capacity – and create or save jobs.
The Act includes 200 million dollars to upgrade aviation facilities and equipment and keep our air traffic control centers operating smoothly.
These efforts range from power systems and batteries, to navigation and landing equipment. They’re critical to modernizing and upgrading functionality and safety.
It also includes 1.1 billion dollars in airport grants – half of which must be allotted within 120 days of the Act’s signing.
We’re moving all these funds out the door as quickly as possible.
Earlier this month, Pittsburgh International received the first funding allocation – 10 million dollars -- for airport infrastructure projects. This is great news for the Pittsburgh economy, and for the flying public.
And we’ve issued 4.2 million dollars to Omaha, Nebraska, to rehabilitate one of the airport’s runways, and more than 10 million dollars to Phoenix for similar work.
Meanwhile, FAA continues to make headway in meeting Recovery Act requirements.
And it has identified potential airport grant projects totaling nearly 950 million dollars, located in all 50 states.
This is just the beginning.
One of my top priorities is to work very closely with Congress to get a good, forward-looking FAA reauthorization bill passed as soon as possible.
The short-term extensions we’ve had over the last 18 months are not conducive to the careful planning and execution that’s needed to implement Recovery Act funds and keep our infrastructure on an even keel.
We’re not ready to discuss specifics. But I can tell you that we’re looking for the bill to address the Administration’s top priorities promoting economic growth, sustainability, and livable communities.
Fortunately, Congress’s latest action to avoid a further stop-gap extension freed up 2 billion dollars for airport-related investments.
But we’re not stopping there.
We’re also supporting a fresh approach to resolving air traffic controller labor issues. This is a highly valuable workforce and we need to make sure that there is a good working environment for all employees.
Another key priority is our commitment to making real progress on NextGen. We appreciate all the help Congress has provided in the past on this.
In January, we issued an updated NextGen implementation plan that details our strategies for accelerating its operational capabilities.
Our analysis indicates that with NextGen capabilities in place, by 2018 we’ll be able to reduce flight delays by up to 40 percent. Over time, this will save over a billion gallons of fuel.
We cannot let the economic slowdown get in our way. NextGen offers efficiencies of scale, safety, and sustainability. And it is an essential upgrade for our aviation infrastructure that makes it far more environmentally friendly.
NextGen is in fact part of our broader effort to help aviation go greener, by emphasizing the use of sustainable alternative fuels and new aircraft technologies.
As you can see, this Administration is deeply committed to making sure America has the safest, most advanced and efficient aviation system in the world.
As President Lincoln once said,
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow, by evading it today.”
With your help and support, we’re taking responsibility today to shape a better, brighter future for aviation tomorrow.
Thank you.