Legislation would improve air travel

Max B. Sawicky’s Friday op-ed about air-traffic control reform reads like a talking-points memo from the private jet lobby that is upset that the debate surrounding the 21st Century AIRR Act has exposed its sweetheart deals.

He argued that reforms proposed under the act are unnecessary because the nation’s aviation is already safe. He’s right — it’s one of the safest in the world — but it’s also incredibly inefficient.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s efforts to upgrade the system have been slowed for years by delays and cost overruns, and travelers face growing delays and more headaches. The system needs flexibility, and the solution is independent oversight and control.

The only real opposition to the proposal is coming from private jet owners, whose arguments Sawicky parrots, because they fear that changes will end a billiondollar subsidy they receive under the current system, courtesy of passengers who fly commercial.

Sawicky regurgitated their flat-out lie that the bill will hand over air-traffic control operations to the airlines to the detriment of passengers. But the proposal actually gives control to a 13-seat board that includes all aviation stakeholders and implements a modernized system to reduce flight delays and help make routes more efficient.

This holiday season, lawmakers should work to pass the AIRR Act and give their constituents the gift of fewer delays. Airlines for America Washington, D.C.