[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




UPON INTRODUCTION OF THE ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE ELIGIBILITY FAIRNESS ACT 
                                OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduced the Essential Air Service 
Eligibility Fairness Act of 2003, a bill to provide much needed 
financial relief to the Lancaster Airport and other airports throughout 
the United States that are adversely impacted by the existing law.
  Under current law, if an airport is located fewer than 70 highway 
miles from the nearest large or medium hub airport, the airport is 
ineligible to receive a subsidy from the Essential Air Service Program.
  However, current law allows the Department of Transportation to 
determine whether or not a given airport meets the criteria for 
receiving the EAS subsidy.
  State and local officials are better able to determine the most 
commonly traveled routes in their communities.
  In my own Congressional District, the Lancaster Airport has been 
affected by this debate.
  On March 21, 2003, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the 
Department of Transportation's decision to deny Lancaster Airport an 
EAS subsidy because Lancaster Airport was deemed to be located within 
70 highway miles of Philadelphia Airport.
  The Lancaster Airport and my constituents were dismayed at this 
decision.
  The route that the Department of Transportation used is not the most 
commonly used highway route and would take over three hours to drive. 
The most commonly traveled route is located 80 highway miles from 
Philadelphia Airport, but takes only one and a half hours to drive.
  I am introducing this legislation today, to empower a Governor or a 
local Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to determine eligibility 
for local EAS subsidies.
  Having worked with local MPOs in my district, I am confident that 
these determinations should be made at the state and local level.
  A Lancaster County rank seventh in the state for air service demand 
and generates over 876,000 annual originating air trips. Additionally, 
these air travelers pay more than $20 million per year in aviation 
taxes.
  Lancaster County with over 11,000 businesses and a population of over 
472,000 needs and deserves commercial air service.
  This legislation will ensure that communities like Lancaster County 
continue to receive quality local air service. I urge Congress to 
support this legislation.

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