[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 69 (Friday, April 19, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2930-S2931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, every 5 years, Congress comes together to 
reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration--FAA. This 
reauthorization includes legislative changes related to aviation 
safety, new technology, support for the aviation industry and its 
workforce and more.
  In July 2023, the House defeated an amendment to the bill proposing 
the addition of 14 flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National 
Airport--DCA.
  However, the Senate Commerce-approved bill includes an amendment to 
introduce 10 additional flights to the airport. This proposal to add 
flights at an already strained DCA would adversely affect service 
quality, increase delays, and lead to more cancellations for all 
passengers.
  Yesterday, DCA experienced a close call as two planes narrowly 
avoided a collision. This incident echoes a similar incident in March 
2023 where two planes almost collided on DCA's runway. These near-
misses underscore the critical need to safeguard the airport from 
additional flight operations.
  DCA was originally designed to accommodate 15 million passengers. The 
airport is now projected to handle 25 million passengers this year.
  In 2022, DCA ranked third in the Nation for its high cancellation 
rate among the busiest airports. Today, approximately 20-22 percent of 
flights departing and arriving at the airport are affected, leading to 
an average delay of 67 minutes.
  The DCA slot-perimeter rule serves as a crucial mechanism for 
managing congestion and restricting nonstop flights at DCA. Its primary 
objective is to maintain a delicate operational and economic 
equilibrium among DCA, Dulles International Airport--IAD--and 
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport--BWI.
  DCA and Washington Dulles International Airports--IAD--were federally 
designed and operate as a unified system on behalf of the government. 
Recognizing the constraints imposed by aircraft noise and community 
impact at DCA, Congress implemented the slot and perimeter rules. 
Dulles International was strategically positioned to serve as both the 
primary airport for regional growth and as an international gateway.
  Ensuring operational stability has also facilitated a harmonious 
relationship with Thurgood Marshall Baltimore Washington 
International--BWI--ensuring that the broader interests of the region 
are effectively addressed. Our airports play a pivotal role in granting 
Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia access to the global 
economy, thereby generating employment opportunities and fostering 
regional growth.
  The connectivity offered by our regional aviation network has been a 
driving force behind the relocation of major corporate headquarters 
such as SAIC, Hilton Hotels, Nestle USA, and Volkswagen of America to 
the area.
  Changes to the slot perimeter rule at DCA will have profound impact 
on the economies of Maryland and Virginia, negatively impact service, 
and delays and place a strain on an already overburdened DCA.
  The safety of the public should be of the utmost concern in the FAA 
bill. And increasing slots at this airport undermines that safety.
  As passenger volumes recover from the pandemic impacts and return to

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serving nearly 75 million annual passengers, the need to maintain the 
balance of air service across all three airports is amplified.
  My colleagues and I who represent the States of the National Capital 
Area region welcome a collaborative and open process should changes to 
our region's airports' operations be necessary. We ask that colleagues 
respect the need to work with us when changes are sought. As the House 
and Senate work toward a final FAA reauthorization bill, we oppose any 
proposals to add additional flights at DCA.

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