Florida Leaders Urge Support for Independent ATC Org

A group of Florida state lawmakers and government and business leaders has appealed to the leaders of the Florida congressional delegation, including Sen. Bill Nelson (D), to support the plan to create an independent air traffic control organization. The group—which includes state House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-37), Minority Leader Janet Cruz (D-62) and other leaders such as Miami-Dade Aviation Department CEO Emilio T. Gonzalez and Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry—wrote letters to the congressional delegation, offering support for the ATC plan included in the six-year House FAA bill.

"The current structure has proven itself incapable of bringing about the modernization that is needed," said the letter to Nelson. "Without change, we will not be able to deliver the critical aviation infrastructure our citizens require to compete in the 21st century economy."

That letter targets a key adversary to the ATC plan; Nelson has been among the most outspoken opponents to the House effort and is a major obstacle to its progress in the Senate.

Citizens for On Time Flights announced the letters. The group bills itself as “a grassroots program dedicated to promoting more efficient air travel,” but has been characterized by general aviation groups as a front group for the nation’s airlines. The group noted that the lawmakers and business leaders agree with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Air Line Pilots Association International, Association of Flight Attendants and all major U.S. passenger airlines in supporting the creation of the ATC organization.