America’s Looming Aviation Crisis

How many times have you waited in a long line to go through airport security? How many times have your sat in your seat, patiently waiting — perhaps an hour or more — for the plane to taxi down the runway and take off? How many times have your family members and friends waited in a long line to pick you up upon arrival? As travelers, we expect to move efficiently through airport security, depart on time, and arrive on time. When these things don’t happen due to weather or air traffic control (ATC) delays, we grow frustrated, breathe an exasperated sigh, and wonder aloud how this could happen.

The frustrations we experience, as travelers, are telltale signs that our aviation system is no longer meeting the needs of its users. And, the situation is only going to get worse — the number of airline passengers is expected to increase from 688 million in 2004 to 1 billion in 2015. Some 11,000 air traffic controllers are going to retire over the next 10 years, and our air traffic control system must be updated to handle this increased traffic.

Our problems don’t end there. Our aviation system plays a critical role in economic development and prosperity as it not only moves people and cargo, but also delivers goods and services via interstate and international commerce. This system, which includes corporate and general aviation, plays an integral part in our national defense, emergency preparedness and response, medical emergencies, and organ delivery. A deteriorating aviation system cannot be depended upon to play a key role in supporting these shared, national priorities.

So what can we do to thwart this impending aviation crisis? The answer is simple — we must take proactive steps to fix our ailing aviation system. We must improve an infrastructure that is outdated and inadequate.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is committed to ensuring that our aviation system can continue to meet the needs of its users. To this end, the Chamber will hold its sixth annual aviation summit. Click here for information about the event.