[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 154 (Friday, November 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                LEGISLATION TO ABOLISH AVIATION BARRIERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 18, 2005

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to have introduced the 
``Abolishing Aviation Barriers Act of 2005''.
  Currently there are two laws governing commercial aviation in the 
U.S. based on miles of flight restrictions. One governs the use of New 
York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and the other governs usage of 
Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport (DCA). Restrictions exist at 
LaGuardia on the departure or arrival of non-stop flights to or from 
airports that are farther then 1,500 miles from LGA. Reagan National 
has a similar restriction for non-stop flights to or from airports 
1,250 miles from DCA. These restrictions are commonly referred to as 
``perimeter rules.''
  The original purpose of these perimeter rules was to restrict LGA and 
DCA airports to business travelers flying to and from East Coast and 
Midwest cities and to promote traffic to other, newer airports by 
diverting long haul flights to Newark and Kennedy airports in the New 
York area and Dulles airport in the Washington, D.C. area. However, 
over the years, the federal government has made many changes and 
granted numerous exceptions to the perimeter rule at DCA because the 
air traveling public is eager for travel options.
  Today, there are nonstop flights between Washington Reagan National 
and Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and 
Seattle. LGA's rule was enacted by the Port Authority of New York and 
New Jersey with an exception already contained therein--for flights 
between Denver and LGA. It was justified on the basis of ground 
congestion, i.e. automobiles. The old road network that gave rise to 
this excuse has long since been replaced with the help of federal 
money.
  In fact, a 1999 study by the Transportation Research Board stated 
that perimeter rules ``no longer serve their original purpose and have 
produced too many adverse side effects, including barriers to 
competition . . . The rules arbitrarily prevent some airlines from 
extending their networks to these airports; they discourage competition 
among the airports in the region and among the airlines that use these 
airports; and they are subject to chronic attempts by special interest 
groups to obtain exemptions.''
  That same year, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) stated 
that the ``practical effect'' of the perimeter rule ``has been to limit 
entry'' of other carriers. The GAO found that airfares at LaGuardia and 
Washington National are approximately 50 percent higher on average than 
fares at similar airports unconstrained by the perimeter rule.
  Mr. Speaker, I have introduced this legislation to promote more 
consumer choice and lower airfares for not only my own constituents, 
but for all of our air travelers.

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