By U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)
General aviation is the foundation of the national air transportation system. In my home state of Florida and across the country, general aviation helps to keep business and commerce flowing. Our country’s thriving general aviation community is unique among the major economies of the world. Yet the well being of general aviation is vulnerable to policy proposals, which could shift the cost equation. One such proposal calls for privatizing the nation’s air traffic control system.
I am opposed to privatizing the ATC system. Instead, our focus should be on supporting the FAA’s “NextGen” initiative to modernize air traffic control. The FAA is making real progress with NextGen. Through 2016, the FAA estimates that airspace system improvements generated $2.72 billion in savings in passenger time and occupant safety, as well as reduced fuel and aircraft operating costs. By 2030, the FAA projects that total benefits of planned NextGen improvements will be $160 billion, at a cost of $35 billion to the FAA and the aviation industry.
With that kind of progress, there’s certainly no need to throw the baby out with the bath water, so to speak.
For general aviation and smaller communities that are dependent on air service, there is much to lose in a privatized ATC system. A private entity, even one that is not-for-profit, would be duty bound to manage to the bottom line—just like any other private corporation or company. Finite air traffic control resources and staffing would be allocated to those locations likely to generate the greatest return on investment.
That means major airline hubs and other facilities handling heavy concentrations of airline traffic will be the priority. A private corporation bound by financial imperatives would have little flexibility to respond to broader concerns, such as the contributions made by general aviation or the importance of maintaining small community air service.
For general aviation and smaller communities dependent on air service, there is much to lose in a privatized ATC system.Ultimately, this would likely result in loss of service and could also lead to greater costs. The general aviation community has long opposed funding the ATC system through user fees—and for good reason. General aviation and other interests that are unable to compete with the level of cash generated by the airline industry will have less to say in setting fees for a privatized corporation. Even if, initially, general aviation were allowed to continue paying its share through the existing aviation fuel tax, there will be strong pressure for a shift to user fees. Eventually, that pressure will be difficult or impossible to resist.
Finally, I am very concerned that privatization will undermine the longstanding and important relationship between the FAA and the Department of Defense. That working relationship is vital to our national security interests.
In the last Congress, the Senate overwhelmingly passed and sent to the president an FAA reauthorization bill that did not include a provision to privatize the ATC system. As the senior Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, I fought hard against repeated attempts by leaders in the House of Representatives to privatize air traffic control.
While my colleagues and I in the Senate were fortunate to prevail, the battle is far from over. This year, Congress must once again tackle FAA reauthorization. The same powerful interests and lawmakers behind last year’s privatization proposal are at it once again.
That’s why it’s all the more important that those who have the most to lose from this risky privatization scheme must be heard.
As pilots and supporters of general aviation, I encourage you to make your voice heard before it’s too late.