Advisory committee to seek a brighter future for US aviation

Yesterday we hosted the Administration’s first forum on the future of the U.S. aviation industry. We told participants--airports, air carriers, management, labor, air carriers, manufacturers, general aviation and consumer groups-–we wanted a frank and open discussion about our challenges and the way forward.

In a one-day session, we could only begin to scratch the surface of the changes we need to address.

That’s why we're forming an advisory committee to examine the industry, its competitiveness, and its ability to address evolving transportation needs, challenges, and opportunities of the global economy. The committee will be composed of stakeholders from across the industry.

This is not going to be just another advisory committee, and I am not commissioning some report to fill space on my bookshelf. This committee will make a difference.

As a measure of how important the future of the aviation is to us, this is the first committee established under the Obama Administration's DOT that will report directly to me.

Look, without a financially strong aviation industry, we will be unable to compete in domestic and international commerce. We could also fall behind in addressing our own infrastructure needs. So we must begin this important conversation in order to ensure a viable, competitive U.S. aviation industry.

Of course, safety must remain our absolute top priority going forward. That is why we need the NextGen air traffic control system. Sticking with a piecemeal system designed in World War II makes no sense from a safety point of view or an economic point of view.

But let's be clear about this: I have not heard one word in this Administration about re-regulating the industry.

This country has an aviation system that is losing billions of dollars, shedding jobs, and using an aging infrastructure. It's time to get to work fixing it.

Comments

[Josh Kurtis]

unfortunately it's just a matter of time before more of our infrastructure fails and more lives are lost. we need to move into the future and design more of the infrastructure so it is sustainable.

[Rena Davenport]

I am really hoping that as things BEGIN to recover that the whole Corporate Jet Charter industry is not forgotten. When the auto bailout hearings took place and the executives were condemned for utilizing charter flights as a means of transportation to get to the hearings where they would beg for bailout money (AND RIGHTFULLY SO) - our industry sunk within months. So many friends and associates were completely out of work and things just seemed like they couldn't get worse but they did and finally we are starting to really feel some recovery. I certainly hope that a little recovery doesn't cause government to completely forget us!

[Nicole Burton]

The Federal government Aviation Management below pressure from Ca plane crash lawyers, aviation safety groups and friends of plane crash victims, has been drafting new rules for pilot do the job hours which would lessen the chance of fatigue in pilots. These rules may lower the number of work tons that pilots can fly!

[Online Pharmacy]

I agree with you Josh, It is very important to address this issue asap before it is too late!