Testimony

The Inspector General testified before the Senate Commerce Aviation Subcommittee regarding FAA’s preparations to avoid flight delays and ease congestion beginning in the summer of 2004. The IG testimony’s focused on current traffic and delay conditions, the changing drivers of congestion - including new security-related airport congestion, FAA’s action in the past four years, and the outlook for summer 2004. He recommended that: FAA issue its revised capacity benchmarks as soon as possible and that the Department and the Department of Homeland Security issue monthly reports detailing security checkpoint waits at specific airports. The Secretary has directed the Department to develop statistically valid means to measure and report on wait times. FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey also testified.