WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an Aviation Operations, Safety, Security Subcommittee hearing today on oversight of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Reagan Washington National Airport and the perimeter rule.

Witness List:

The Honorable Susan Kurland, Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Transportation 

Mr. Michael J. Sammartino, Director of System Operations, AJR-1, Federal Aviation Administration

Mr. Lee R. Kair, Assistant Administrator for Security Operations, Transportation Security Administration

The Honorable Charles Darwin Snelling, Chairman of the Board, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority 

Ms. E. Lynn Hampton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“This is an industry whose only constant is change. Airline deregulation changed the rules on West Virginians and millions of others from rural states. Airline bankruptcy changed rules for the employees. And, economic globalization is changing it all over again. The fact is that the proposed 16 flight conversions will not change the dynamic at two airports who serve tens of millions of people. We must push to resolve the matter of National Airport slots or it will threaten future FAA Reauthorizations. That is absolutely unacceptable to me at any time, but especially in a time when our economy could benefit greatly by passing this bill. I will continue to fight for passage of this important legislation.”

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV 

“I called this hearing because I’m tired of the interests that are blocking the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill that would modernize our air traffic control system. This issue is about safety in the sky. It’s about investing in our infrastructure. It’s about jobs. Those interests who are blocking the FAA Reauthorization Act are responsible for impeding progress that is desperately needed.”

Senator Byron L. Dorgan, Chairman, U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security

“Let me stress again that the Department has long recognized that Congress has maintained a strong interest in capacity, congestion, and operational issues at the MWAA airports, particularly Reagan National. We look forward to continuing cooperation with the Congress, and with the Airports Authority, in assuring that Reagan National and Dulles provide our Nation’s capital with gateways that are safe, modern, convenient, and affordable…We can, however, state, as we have in the past, that FAA’s traffic programs and procedures can accommodate some increase in commercial operations at Reagan National, within the existing cap, with the precise number of additional flights that can be accommodated dependent on the fleet mix and the runway use that would be required.”

The Honorable Susan Kurland, Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Transportation accompanied by Mr. Michael J. Sammartino, Director of System Operations, AJR-1, Federal Aviation Administration 

“As technology advances and our screening protocols are constantly adjusted to safeguard the traveling public, we remain dedicated to keeping Americans safe while they fly, while also protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of passengers, maintaining quick passenger throughput at security checkpoints, and providing quality customer service. These issues are extremely important at all of our nation’s airports, including Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – two of our country’s busiest airports.”

Mr. Lee R. Kair, Assistant Administrator for Security Operations, Transportation Security Administration

“Over the last quarter of a century, the Airports Authority has worked diligently to live up to the Congress’s expectations as stewards of the Metropolitan Washington Airports. We believe we have, in large measure, been successful in developing both Reagan National and Dulles International Airports into the world class facilities that the Congress desired, while remaining true to the balance of interests that the Congress struck when entrusting the airports to us.”

The Honorable Charles Darwin Snelling, Chairman of the Board, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

“We do understand the interest of air carriers to serve destinations outside the Reagan National perimeter, and we believe we have provided excellent facilities at Dulles International for them to provide that service. It is, therefore, our recommendation that Congress not alter the slot and perimeter rules, thereby adding beyond-perimeter flights and passengers to Reagan National, without regard to, and certainly without a full and accurate understanding of, the ability of Reagan National to absorb the consequences of the slot and perimeter rule changes, the impact these changes would have on the traveling public and neighboring communities, and the consequences the changes would have on the economic sustainability of Dulles International and BWI Marshall.”

Ms. E. Lynn Hampton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

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