AIR-V Heads For Senate Floor With EAS, DCA Slots Amendment

Regional Aviation News
Updating Developments in Regional Aviation

AIR-V Heads For Senate Floor With EAS, DCA Slots Amendment

May 2, 2003

Senate Commerce yesterday reported out the Aviation Investment and Revitalization Vision Act (AIRV) funding the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) through 2006 and a provision for Essential Air Service (EAS) that authorizes $50 million to set up a fund for pilot programs to enhance small community service. It also gives war risk insurance to aircraft manufacturers and extends it to airlines through 2006. The bill funds AIP at $3.4 billion for 2004, $3.5 for 2005 and $3.6 for 2006. It amends the Airways Facilities Improvement Program by adding $2.9 billion each for 2004 and 2005 and $3 billion for 2006. An amendment introduced by Sens. John Ensign (R-Nev.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), to increase the number of slots at Washington National from 12 to 24 generated objections Sen. John Rockefeller (DW.Va.), ranking member on the aviation subcommittee, and Sen. George Allen (R-Va.).

Unlike other slot proposals, this measure does not guarantee slots would be provided for small-community service, Rockefeller said. Allen said communities around DCA oppose increasing slots, adding the local airport authority should make slot decisions. He was also concerned that adding slots would affect Washington Dulles and Baltimore/Washington airports and said the time was not right to add slots when fewer people are flying. The act, formerly AIR-21, should go to the Senate floor for debate next week, Capitol Hill staff said.

The EAS provision, which was not included in the bill’s first draft, stemmed from bipartisan legislation proffered by aviation subcommittee Chair Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and subcommittee Ranking Member John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), S.964, reauthorizing EAS at $113 million for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2007, of which $50 million for each year will come from FAA funds. It creates a $12 million fund each year from FY 2004-2007 to establish a set of pilot programs to enhance local demand for air service. -DM

Source: Aviation Daily, May 2, 2003