Small Airports Committee Projects
2007
The Small Airports Committee provided significant help in several critical issues being considered by Congress this year. For example, through its “ground roots” efforts, the Small Airports Committee influenced changes to “aircraft rescue and fire fighting” legislation that otherwise would have overwhelmed the financial viability of many small airports without any improvement in aviation or passenger safety.
Of key importance this year, along with most everyone else, is the FAA reauthorization process, not only to ensure that the small and small-hub airports are not adversely affected but also to hopefully gain some beneficial changes to laws and regulations. In addition, with the seemingly increased rate at which more regulatory and financial burdens are being placed upon airports, and the airlines, the Committee is concerned about the cumulative effect of the resulting compliance costs on the availability, and sustainability, of air service at small and small-hub airports. Therefore, the Committee has great interest in the potential findings of various Airport Cooperative Research Program projects, especially the one entitled “Guidebook for Managing Small Airports” being conducted by the University of Minnesota.
The Committee is watching closely the FAA regulatory proposed and final rules for the management of congestion at the New York area airports and Chicago’s O’Hare airport. Air service disruptions at smaller communities have been quite severe due to delays and cancellations at these airports. The Committee has had presentations by various airlines on this matter and had a presentation at the Annual Conference on the O’Hare Modernization Program.