Proposed Air Traffic Control Privatization H.R 2997 September 13, - - PDF document

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Proposed Air Traffic Control Privatization H.R 2997

September 13, 2017

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Issue

• H.R.2997 – The 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and

Reauthorization Act

• FAA 6-year reauthorization legislation covers:
• FAA funding
• Noise mitigation
• Facilities and equipment
• FAA operations
• Title II – Newly created American Air Navigation Services

Corporation

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Issue

• Title II transfers operations of air traffic services and related

assets from FAA to a separate not-for-profit corporate entity to provide air traffic control services

• Establishes the American Air Navigation Services

Corporation

• To assume control of air traffic control services on October

1, 2020

• Creates a 13-member board
• Airline, general aviation, business aviation, air traffic

controller, airport representatives

3

What is the problem being solved?

• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee stated goals of

reauthorization legislation:

• Cut red tape
• Encourage American innovation in aviation technologies
• Give traveling public a better flight experience
• Ensure airport infrastructure connects businesses and

people to the world

• Ensure access to the aviation system for all who need it
• Provide a safe, efficient, modern system that uses 21st

century technology

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What is the problem being solved?

• Privatization of Air Traffic Control (ATC) stated goals:
• Modernize the system
• Move from outdated radar to modern technology
• Counteract short-term reauthorizations, political interference

and budget uncertainty

• Allow FAA to focus on safety of the system
• Frees ATC from governmental inherent bureaucratic inertia

and funding uncertainty

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Pros of Privatization

• Could improve funding certainty
• Previous authorization took 5 years and 23 short-term

extensions to complete

• Removes ATC from political wrangling
• Allows FAA to focus on safety as main mission
• Allows more nimble response to technology advances
• Exempts General Aviation operations from charges and fees

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Cons of Privatization

• Potential of loss or reduction of service to smaller communities

that are not served by airlines

• Could create approach or departure procedures that favor

airlines at commercial service airports

• Removes Congressional oversight; accountability to the voters
• If revenue does not keep pace with expenditures, Federal

funding would still be needed or services could be cut, or both

• Could result in loss of ATC service for non-commercial

service airports

• Increased ticket prices to close gap

7

What are other airports doing?

• Denton Municipal – Opposes privatization but has not sent

letters

• Mesquite – Opposes privatization but has not sent letters
• McKinney – Opposes privatization and has sent letters through

their lobbyist

• Fort Worth – Opposes privatization but has not sent letters

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Why should we oppose this?

• The proposal to privatize Air Traffic Control services give too

much control to airlines and commercial service airports

• Does not solve delay issues that are primarily (80%) caused by

weather and airline compression of flight schedules

• Decision could be made to close towers or cut hours of
• perations to cut costs
• Departure and approach procedures could be implemented that

favor commercial service airlines and restrict GA operations

• Removes Congressional oversight and assistance; any appeal
• f decisions made would go through courts

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Questions