The Front Burner: Should U.S. privatize air-traffic control?

When President Trump met recently with airline executives, he declared the U.S. air-trafficcontrol system “obsolete.” So it was no surprise when his administration proposed turning over management of air traffic to an independent nonprofit corporation that would be funded entirely by airport user fees. It would move more than 30,000 people off the government payroll.

Supporters of the idea — primarily airlines — say it would allow the U.S. system to implement new satellite technology faster and, as the Los Angeles Times reports, free the system “from the funding cuts that result from Washington’s political squabbles.” Those spending disputes, and the worker furloughs that result, have forged many airlines and the air-traffic-controllers’ union to agree on the need for change.

Skeptics of privatization, particularly in Congress, say that spinning off air-traffic control could degrade a system that is the safest in the world, and that the Federal Aviation Administration is making progress on a modernized system.

Many small airports also oppose privatization, as the administration proposes the elimination of subsidized air service to rural communities, which cite the airports as economic necessities.

For opposing viewpoints on privatizing the nation’s air-trafficcontrol system, we enlisted two Central Floridians well versed on the issue:

John Mica, a Winter Park Republican who served on the U.S. House Transportation Committee for 24 years and is a champion of modernization and privatization.

Alan Grayson, an Orlando Democrat who served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and is a determined foe of privatization.