[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 71 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ALLARD:
  S. 2134. A bill to provide for air transportation between Denver, 
Colorado, and London, England; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation.


                DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LEGISLATION

 Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I am introducing legislation today 
to encourage the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to act 
expeditiously in the interest of fairness and in support of the economy 
of my home state of Colorado.
  I would like to explain the situation that causes me to make this 
proposal. There exists an agreement between the United States and the 
United Kingdom to allow US Airways to operate a direct flight from 
Charlotte, North Carolina, to Gatwick Airport in London, England. In 
accordance with fair and recognized practices, the airlines with 
established routes and time slots that have served Gatwick Airport for 
years were not disturbed, and US Airways was given landing rights for a 
time slot that is not currently occupied. Although it may not be US 
Airways' top choice, the time slot that has been allocated appears to 
be commercially viable. US Airways, however, refuses to begin service 
unless they are given a better time slot at Gatwick. This request is 
beyond the provisions of the approved agreement.
  An unrelated agreement to allow British Airways to provide non-stop 
service from Denver, Colorado, to London, England, is currently pending 
approval by the United States Department of Transportation. The 
Department has chosen to deliberately delay approval of the British 
Airways' agreement in order to pressure British Airways and the 
authorities at Gatwick Airport to give US Airways the most desirable 
time slots. The Department is simply holding the Denver-London flights 
hostage until the demands of US Airways are met. This is not proper use 
of the Department of Transportation's authority; it sets a negative 
precedent for airline competition and cooperation between the United 
States and Europe, and it is impacting the growth of Colorado's 
economy.
  The Secretary has been kind enough to meet with me personally, along 
with my colleague from Colorado, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, to 
discuss this issue. In spite of our concerns about Colorado, the 
Department still resists any effort to progress on the approval of the 
British Airways Denver-London flights. The date for beginning service 
was postponed from June 1st to August 1st, and unfortunately British 
Airways will announce tomorrow that the delay in approval will preclude 
them from starting service by August 1st. The start date for Denver-
London direct service has been indefinitely postponed.
  This postponement denies Colorado its first overseas international 
flight at Denver International Airport. It prohibits our tourism 
industry from growing, especially during the upcoming ski season. It 
prevents increased competition that would result from connecting 
flights at DIA. It creates a problem for the employees in Denver who 
have already been hired by British Airways, but who have no jobs.
  I hope that the Department of Transportation takes immediate action 
on the pending British Airways agreement, and I encourage my colleagues 
to support me and my efforts to ensure that the British Airways 
agreement is justly considered, and that Colorado is not harmed as the 
Department of Transportation deals with the separate concerns of US 
airways.
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