U.S. Airline Customer Service Places Spotlight on ATC Reform

The debate over the fate of the U.S. air traffic control system continues in Washington. Reform advocates and opponents both used the recent round of congressional hearings on airline customer service to restate their case regarding proposals to create an independent air traffic control system.

Airline chiefs reiterated a need for change, and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), who is the primary driver of the proposal, said reform would create efficiencies in the ATC system.

At the same time, Rep. Pete DeFazio (D-Ore.), the ranking Democrat on the T&I committee, stressed, “I think the airline industry needs to focus on getting its own house in order, instead of extending its reach to control of our skies. The airlines’ lack of focus on the traveling public and the repeated failures to invest in IT infrastructure only add to the many reasons I will continue to oppose their efforts to privatize air traffic control.”

While the debate continues on Capitol Hill, general aviation groups have opened a dialog with the Trump administration about the issue. The White House endorsed the concept of an independent air traffic control proposal in language included in its FY2018 budget proposal. General aviation industry leaders discussed the concept at a meeting yesterday at the White House.