Bush focuses attention on New York air congestion

Bush focuses attention on New York air congestion President Bush on Thursday directed Transportation Secretary Mary Peters to take action to address air traffic congestion and flight delays, and asked her to meet with airline industry and aviation officials in what the White House called “the most over-stressed part of our system — the New York metro airspace.”
   “A third of the nation’s air traffic passes through this airspace, and two-thirds of the nation’s air traffic can be affected when the New York area experiences delays,” the White House said. “This means delays there affect travelers across the nation.”
   Bush asked Peters to develop a plan to alleviate congestion and reduce delays and report back to him before the end of the year with proposed solutions that could be in effect by next summer.
   U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee said, “just like former-FAA Administrator Blakey’s comments two weeks ago, the president’s realization that we are experiencing record flight delays comes better late than never. Such attention from the president in January or February would have made a difference for travelers this summer.
   “President Bush and the FAA have all the authority they need to address the over-scheduling of flights, which is the most pressing short-term issue we face. The FAA reauthorization bill the House passed last week would require the FAA to act to when there is evidence of over-scheduling, and includes other passengers’ rights provisions,” he added. “The most helpful action he can take is to support our bill and sign it into law to address our short and long-term aviation needs.”