06 June, 2017
Trump on Monday reaffirmed his support for a plan to transfer air traffic control responsibilities from the FAA to a self-financing, non-profit corporation. "The AIRR Act is transformational legislation that prepares the USA aviation system for the future, helps ensure a modern, safe system that benefits passengers and the economy, and keeps America competitive in a vital industry".
"Today, the US air traffic control system is the best in the world, moving more aircraft, more safely and efficiently, than any other country".
The Alliance for Aviation Across America, a nonprofit association of businesses, small airports and elected officials, denounced Trump's plan.
The U.S. has spent billions of dollars on a NextGen program to update the system with satellite-based technology.
The union representing the air traffic control workers said in a statement that they will review the details of the proposal before deciding to support the plan or not.
"All but our largest airports nationwide stand to be hurt by this proposal".
For example, Delta is the only major airline that isn't backing the plan, over concerns that privatizing such a big system could lead to a national security risk in addition to driving up prices for the consumer.
Many major airlines have campaigned for years to privatize FAA, spending $16 million in 2016 alone on lobbying Congress and federal agencies. That effort picked up steam past year when the union that represents air traffic controllers agreed to support a proposal by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., to spin off air traffic operations into a private, nonprofit corporation.
LoBiondo has held six hearings so far on this year's FAA reauthorization bill. Trump's repeal and replace of Obamacare managed to squeak by the House, but it will be a miracle if it passes the Senate. "Dozens of countries have already made significant changes with results, and we're going to top them". "We are happy with the quality of work they provide and if they can make it better, that works for us".
Among the core issues behind moving the ATC is a massive upgrade of traffic control to a system known as the NextGen Air Transportation System.
Flight delays are costing the United States economy approximately $25 billion a year, the president said, and the previous administration's attempts to upgrade the system cost $7 billion while yielding no results.
The FAA has been working for more than a decade on NextGen. Huerta acknowledged, however, that government procurement requirements have slowed the NextGen rollout. The move would separate air traffic controllers from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and charge a newly formed, non-profit corporation with their oversight. It also would be authorized to establish fees on passengers to pay for airport and system upgrades. Mr. Trump urges supporters that it's "time to join the future".
"Not only is the president's proposal a huge power grab for the commercial airlines, but the notion that the airlines can run anything better, let along air traffic control, is laughable", said Selena Shilad, the group's executive director.
Corporate jet pilots also oppose the plan as do their counterparts in general aviation.
Air traffic controllers keep watch using Data Comm, part of the FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation system in the control tower at Miami International Airport on March 6, 2017 in Miami, Florida. The aviation taxes should be sunset, except for those necessary to fund the Airport Improvement Program, according to the White House. Trump's Rose Garden announcement on air traffic control is part of a week-long push to publicize his plans to overhaul the country's aging infrastructure as the White House faces a growing probe into alleged ties between his campaign and Russian Federation.
David Woodard, a GOP consultant and Clemson University pollster, said that some of Trump's base may be concerned by his FAA proposal but will likely be pleased he is still "shaking up the tree".
