The US airlines’ advocacy association is pursuing a five-step plan to bring about a national aviation policy.
Speaking Monday at the ISTAT Americas 2012 conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., Airlines for America (A4A) president and CEO Nicholas Calio said US airlines have become the most regulated de-regulated industry in America—and rules governing how they operate, along with exorbitant taxes and fees, are having unintended and negative consequences.
“We need a holistic approach to first survive and second to thrive,” Calio said.
A4A’s campaign will have five core components: to reform the tax structure on US airlines and reduce the burden; to reform the airline regulatory environment; to fix infrastructure, including accelerating the implementation of NextGen technologies that are available; to enable global competitiveness, including addressing issues such as visas; and to mitigate fuel costs and volatility.
“The US industry is at an inflection point and that’s why the outcome of this is important,” Calio said.
US carriers are showing capacity discipline and covering costs. They are also reporting record customer service metrics, with best-ever on-time arrival rates, lowest mishandled baggage numbers and fewest bumped passenger incidents. “These levels of safety and service metrics are unheard of for any other industry,” Calio said.
But government keeps laying on rules dictating how airlines operate and new taxes. Calio said there are now 17 separate taxes and fees placed on airfares and White House budget proposals calling for security taxes increases would add another $36 billion over the next 10 years.
Article Source : ATW Daily News
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