Proposed Air Traffic Control Privatization H.R 2997 September 13, - PDF document

9/8/2017 Proposed Air Traffic Control Privatization H.R 2997 September 13, 2017 1 Issue  H.R.2997 – The 21 st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act  FAA 6-year reauthorization legislation covers:  FAA funding  Noise mitigation  Facilities and equipment  FAA operations  Title II – Newly created American Air Navigation Services Corporation 2 1

9/8/2017 Issue  Title II transfers operations of air traffic services and related assets from FAA to a separate not-for-profit corporate entity to provide air traffic control services  Establishes the American Air Navigation Services Corporation  To assume control of air traffic control services on October 1, 2020  Creates a 13-member board  Airline, general aviation, business aviation, air traffic controller, airport representatives 3 What is the problem being solved?  Transportation and Infrastructure Committee stated goals of reauthorization legislation:  Cut red tape  Encourage American innovation in aviation technologies  Give traveling public a better flight experience  Ensure airport infrastructure connects businesses and people to the world  Ensure access to the aviation system for all who need it  Provide a safe, efficient, modern system that uses 21 st century technology 4 2

9/8/2017 What is the problem being solved?  Privatization of Air Traffic Control (ATC) stated goals:  Modernize the system  Move from outdated radar to modern technology  Counteract short-term reauthorizations, political interference and budget uncertainty  Allow FAA to focus on safety of the system  Frees ATC from governmental inherent bureaucratic inertia and funding uncertainty 5 Pros of Privatization  Could improve funding certainty  Previous authorization took 5 years and 23 short-term extensions to complete  Removes ATC from political wrangling  Allows FAA to focus on safety as main mission  Allows more nimble response to technology advances  Exempts General Aviation operations from charges and fees 6 3

9/8/2017 Cons of Privatization  Potential of loss or reduction of service to smaller communities that are not served by airlines  Could create approach or departure procedures that favor airlines at commercial service airports  Removes Congressional oversight; accountability to the voters  If revenue does not keep pace with expenditures, Federal funding would still be needed or services could be cut, or both  Could result in loss of ATC service for non-commercial service airports  Increased ticket prices to close gap 7 What are other airports doing?  Denton Municipal – Opposes privatization but has not sent letters  Mesquite – Opposes privatization but has not sent letters  McKinney – Opposes privatization and has sent letters through their lobbyist  Fort Worth – Opposes privatization but has not sent letters 8 4

9/8/2017 Why should we oppose this?  The proposal to privatize Air Traffic Control services give too much control to airlines and commercial service airports  Does not solve delay issues that are primarily (80%) caused by weather and airline compression of flight schedules  Decision could be made to close towers or cut hours of operations to cut costs  Departure and approach procedures could be implemented that favor commercial service airlines and restrict GA operations  Removes Congressional oversight and assistance; any appeal of decisions made would go through courts 9 Questions 10 5