Deficit May Lead To Higher Airfares And Slowdowns

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 467
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Cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages may get more expensive next year if Congress fails to act on mandatory Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cuts of $1 billion that will take place if Congress cannot otherwise agree on how to deal with the growing deficit.

Cuts would result in fewer air traffic controllers, customs officers and security officers. Although the airlines, FAA, and air traffic controllers have yet to comment publicly on the situation, groups representing pilots and the aerospace industry have said that pending cuts are reason to be concerned.

The Aerospace Industries Association (an aerospace industry lobbying group) warns that these cuts will affect travelers’ ability to fly when and how they want. Airlines are expected to bear greater costs which will then be passed on to passengers and/or further reduce airlines “meager profits.”

The association foresees the possible closure of 246 airport control towers, 1,500 fewer air traffic controllers, a reduction of 9,000 security screeners as well as 1,600 customs officers. Industry experts believe fewer controllers, ...
... screeners and customs staff would pose a serious challenge to an already stressed air travel system.

Safety is not expected to be an issue. FAA controllers would have to slow traffic at small airports by cutting back hours of operation and capacity. Hours and personnel at the country’s large air traffic control centers are not anticipated to be reduced.

The cuts would also delay the rollout of the multibillion dollar NextGen program by at least ten years. NextGen is the FAA’s major air traffic system overhaul targeted to improve airline efficiency and improve safety.
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