A passenger capacity “meltdown” could be in the works if the U.S. government doesn’t address the capacity needs of the nation’s airports, a report released by U.S. Representative John Mica notes.
Mica says he plans to offer legislation to aid airports as they struggle with facility and capacity issues as the U.S. Congress takes up Federal Aviation Administration legislation this summer.
The report, titled “U.S. Airports in Crisis,” cites dwindling terminal and airport capacity resulting from airline consolidations.
“When weather and air traffic control delays occur, and at peak travel periods through 2015, airline passengers should expect airport meltdowns,” Mica says.
The congressional report shows that revenues for airport infrastructure expansions and improvements are limited because airlines are relying more on baggage and passenger service fees, which do not contribute to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
Although airline baggage and service fees have soared in the past decade, airports are limited to a local passenger facility charge, not to exceed $4.50, that was capped by the federal government in 2000. Some 349 airports are at that level, limiting future terminal and facilities expansion.
Mica’s report centers on the infrastructure needs at large-hub airports. It notes the shift in operations toward large hubs as airlines consolidated over the past two decades. Today, four major carriers dominate with nearly 80 percent of passenger traffic.
“In order to respond to the resulting increase in demand and congestion at hub airports, the U.S. aviation system must be able to fund infrastructure investment in terminal and runway expansion,” the report notes. “However, funding sources for airport infrastructure development have decreased since 2007.”
The report notes that since 2000, when the PFC was adjusted and capped, the cost of security, construction and improvements has increased dramatically.
“If the status quo remains, we cannot expect to cope with projected increases in congestion,” the report continues. “This will lead to corresponding increases in flight delays and cancellations nationally, both of which will result in more customer complaints and a considerable negative economic impact. The ability of airports to safely and securely accommodate passengers is in jeopardy.”
