Lehigh Valley residents missing travel opportunities
Spring break is upon us, and with travel plans being made, Americans are once again reminded of how expensive travel has become. Working-class Americans especially feel this impact as a noncompetitive market boxes out smaller carriers who could provide lower travel costs to working-class American families in smaller cities across the country looking for a weekend getaway.
There is a solution to this problem, ultra-low-cost carriers offering reduced fares and more travel alternatives.
The larger, broader problem, however: Proposed joint ventures between lower cost carriers are being ignored by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Joint ventures between more affordable airlines have the potential to create competition in the industry, improve the greater economic and cultural connectivity between the U.S. and other nations, and reduce aviation carbon emissions via increased nonstop routes, especially to Mexico — the most frequent international destination for U.S. travelers.
Most importantly, joint ventures increase access to affordable flights with reduced fares and alternatives for working-class Americans in underserved cities, an effort I worked toward during my time serving the people of Pennsylvania while in Congress.
Ultra-low-cost carriers offer some of the lowest fares in the U.S., with a core focus on promoting nonstop, direct flights from underserved U.S. cities. These carriers — airlines such as Allegiant Air, Avelo and others — serve small-to-mid-sized city markets by providing cost and time saving flight options. Approving potential joint ventures between them sounds like a simple, nonpartisan action that the Biden administration would support, as it is clearly a win-win for American consumers and businesses — right?
Unfortunately, the answer is no.
The Biden administration has instead decided to suspend consideration of such proposals over broad geopolitical concerns. The administration continues to play this game, but what it fails to realize is that American voters decide U.S. elections, not foreign affairs.
In such a critical election year, it is in the Biden administration’s best interest to put politics aside and realize that joint venture solutions benefit all Americans who desperately desire policies that will help their wallet after two inflation-heavy years.
Underserved cities across the country, including cities like Allentown, would greatly benefit from joint ventures, such as one proposed by Allegiant Air and Viva Aerobus. They would connect Pennsylvanian cities with Mexican resorts so hardworking parents and their kids could enjoy spring break like other American families across the country.
Smaller airports such as Lehigh Valley International Airport are experiencing meaningful loss of service and frequency due to a lack of direct service, a direct impact to residents in the area. But this impact is not just felt in Pennsylvania, but across small-to-mid-sized cities across the country, in states like Illinois, West Virginia and Nebraska. The result: Not only do local economies suffer, but Americans are being unfairly punished with fewer opportunities to travel directly and affordably.
The Biden administration understands these benefits, yet still proceeds to go against its core principles and ignore how these agreements could improve economic connectivity between the U.S. and Mexico. The approval of joint ventures, such as those proposed by carriers like Delta Airlines or Allegiant Air, would greatly increase nonstop service between underserved cities in the U.S. and popular vacation destinations.
Tourism benefits greatly from joint ventures, and they also improve the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and other countries by establishing greater cultural connectivity and simplifying air travel options for families split between two countries.
Overall, ultra-low-cost carriers’ joint ventures could serve as a crucial step toward making air travel more affordable, accessible and environmentally friendly for working-class Americans. It aligns with principles of the Biden administration — promoting competition, reducing costs and supporting underserved communities.
By suspending consideration of such ventures, the administration is hurting the very people it claims to protect and missing an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relationships worldwide. It’s time for the Biden administration and Department of Transportation to put politics aside and prioritize the needs of everyday Americans.
Approving the joint ventures is a win-win scenario that would benefit working-class Americans in small and mid-sized American cities, like those in Pennsylvania, while also fostering international cooperation.
Ryan Costello is a former U.S. representative from Pennsylvania who represented parts of Montgomery, Berks, Chester and Lebanon counties in 2015-19. He served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and was vice chair of the Aviation Subcommittee.