Story ID: 
Broad Collection of Organizations Blasts ATC Plan
By: Mark Phelps
Caption: Diverse array of interest groups warns of unintended consequences
Word Count: 215
A wide ranging coalition of more than 200 organizations has joined forces to urge Congress not to include air traffic control “privatization” in any infrastructure bill. The groups include NBAA, other aviation advocacy groups, consumer organizations, manufacturers, businesses, airports, management associations, and unions. In a letter to congressional leaders, the coalition wrote, “While Congress will face many challenges as it considers a comprehensive infrastructure bill, the divisive ATC privatization proposal, which is full of risk and unintended consequences, should not be one of them.”

Addressees on the letter include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California).

NBAA said ATC privatization under a board dominated by airlines has met with “concern or outright opposition by congressional leaders from both political parties, as well as a host of business, airport and agricultural organizations, passenger groups, conservative and liberal groups, unions, 100 mayors from every state, more than 100 pilot-CEOs, aviation legends [including Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger], a majority of Americans, and more."

The coalition letter continued: “Congress should focus on finding solutions that will garner strong industry support...For the aviation industry, that means modernization, not privatization.”