Thank you Senators Rockefeller and Lott for holding today’s hearing.  The summer travel season was certainly difficult for both the airlines and their passengers.  The airline delays and cancellations experienced over the last few months have impacted the travel schedule of many travelers.

 

I understand the frustration felt as a result of airline delays and cancellations.  When I travel to my home state, on average, the flight time to transit from Washington D.C. to Anchorage, Alaska can take almost 10 hours and that doesn’t include additional time due to flight delays.    

 

As the demand for air service increases, the FAA and the airlines will be challenged to cope with the increased demand by developing and implementing a modern air traffic control system.  If the passenger demand for air transportation continues to outpace air traffic capacity, the cost to the U.S. economy could be significant. 

 

Congress is in an opportune position to significantly modernize our antiquated air traffic control system and should make every effort to take advantage of that opportunity. 

 

The FAA, Congress, and industry stakeholders need to expedite a multifaceted modernization approach that improves utilization of congested airspace, ground systems, and ground infrastructure.  Coordination between the government and industry is essential. 

 

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 over the past few months. 

 

I recognize delays will never be avoided altogether, but how we deal with them and track them can certainly be improved.  Without quick action and planning regarding modernization, we are on the precipice of aviation gridlock.  

 

I look forward to working with my colleagues to create solutions to this problem.