[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 86 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  AVIATION COMPETITION IN RURAL AREAS

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                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 21, 2004

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I read in this Saturday's Washington Post 
Business section an articled entitled, ``US Airways Cuts Fares at 
National, Dulles.'' The article explains that the airlines are 
launching a fare war out of the Washington, DC area, which will result 
in great savings and travel options for air travelers. I naturally read 
this article with great interest, Mr. Speaker, because US Airways is a 
very important carrier at airports located in the Congressional 
District that I represent in Southern West Virginia.
  Clearly, Mr. Speaker, the price reductions offered by US Airways and 
the other airlines are the result of competition. Unfortunately, these 
price reductions are not available to travelers who need them as much 
as--and maybe more than--any other air traveler. That is the air 
traveler in the rural areas and in the small cities. If the airlines 
had true competition in the rural areas and in the rural areas and in 
the small cities, ticket prices would be fairer. Instead, as is so 
often the case, the competition and the resulting discounts and travel 
options are only available in the large metropolitan areas.
  As we recognized at the time of deregulation--and as we should 
recognize right now--we need to ensure that rural airports can continue 
to operate and provide much-needed air service and jobs. one primary 
program aimed at doing this is the Essential Air Service program (EAS). 
EAS is very important to rural airports, which have seen their air 
service and ridership fall dramatically over the years.
  Recently, 2 airports in my district, Beckley and Bluefield, proved 
themselves eligible to receive EAS funding for the next 2 years. I 
can't overstate how badly this funding is needed to foster competition 
and ensure air service in that part of my State. Ever since we 
deregulated the airlines, we have been moving the rural areas farther 
and farther out of the mainstream for air travel. Furthermore, every 
time Congress appropriates money to the airlines, or establishes 
assistance such as the Air Transportation Stabilization Board, it is 
the rural communities that get overlooked.
  While small communities in over 25 States rely on this Federal 
funding to help them manage through this time of economic distress at 
the State and local levels, the Bush Administration has consistently 
proposed to cut the EAS program by more than half. Likewise, 
Republicans want to make many rural and small communities pay a local 
share to qualify for EAS funding. But, Mr. Speaker, I submit that doing 
these things would greatly harm many local economies. Rather than 
further strapping the rural areas and small towns with costs that will 
further inhibit competition, we need to push policies that will 
increase air competition and provide cost-savings to travelers.

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