A committee in the U.S. Senate is currently working on a bill that would include a change to airport rules that could seriously impact flights in and out or local and regional airports. The change being proposed is to increase the number of flights in and out of Reagan National Airport.
Since 1986, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has managed Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) as a single system with the two airports having complementary roles. When Congress created MWAA, it mandated that Reagan National have a limited number of flights or “slots” and a perimeter (1,250 miles) beyond which flights could not fly. This was intended to maintain a stable level of activity at the smaller and geographically limited Reagan National, ensure access for smaller east coast communities, and allow Dulles to grow into a long-haul, international hub. Today, that vision has successfully been realized with both Reagan National and Dulles thriving in their respective roles.
Unfortunately, some members of Congress are pushing to change a little-known but hugely influential airport rule that could seriously impact flights, including flights at Norfolk International Airport (ORF). The proposed changes would alter rules which ensure convenient and safe flights into Reagan National, and potentially reduce service to local and regional airports such as ours that play a critical role connecting tourists and business travelers.
Given the impact this could have on Hamptons Roads, the Hampton Roads Chamber has joined the Coalition to Protect Regional Airports, a new nationwide organization dedicated to safeguarding flight options for airports and air travelers. Regionally, business leaders have reinforced this position with outreach to members of Congress.
The existing perimeter statute protects air service to smaller regional airports and communities within the perimeter. DCA cannot add more flight slots to its operations because it is already operating at maximum capacity. Therefore, in order to add slots for out-of-perimeter airports, DCA would likely take slots from existing airports, including Norfolk International Airport.
Many of our local businesses rely on this direct linkage to markets such as Washington, D.C., to create economic flows of tourism and professional traffic. Beyond the jobs that regional airports create — gate agents, rental car services, retail and restaurant workers, air traffic controllers — they also support economic development in the region. Changes to this law could threaten these operations with no consideration for the thousands of jobs being put at risk in regional economies just like ours across this country.
These proposed changes come as airports grapple with a record travel year and historic shortage of air traffic controllers. Congress should be focused on dealing with these challenges, not altering well-designed rules that will only further increase crowding and safety concerns, upset service to smaller communities, and have a potential ripple effect that will be felt throughout the regional airport economy.
The Hampton Roads Chamber joins the Norfolk Airport Authority and every international, national, regional and executive airport in Virginia; the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Hispanic Chamber and dozens of other regional and local chambers of commerce; the Virginia Restaurant and Tourism Association; and other industry organizations from around the country as part of the Coalition to Protect Regional Airports and urge Congress to keep the DCA perimeter and slot rules in place.
The Hampton Roads Chamber and our associated public and private sector community partners, join the Norfolk Airport Authority in urging Congress to reject this proposal and to focus on passing a long-term FAA reauthorization bill that will not expand DCA’s slots or flight perimeter, will honor the MWAA’s leadership and experienced authority, and will not interfere with the operational success of DCA, IAD, ORF, or America’s other regional airports.
Gretchen Heal is vice president of governmental affairs for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.
