Federal Aviation Administration

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, every 5 years, Congress comes together to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration--FAA. This reauthorization includes legislative changes related to aviation safety, new technology, support for the aviation industry and its workforce and more.

In July 2023, the House defeated an amendment to the bill proposing the addition of 14 flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport--DCA.

However, the Senate Commerce-approved bill includes an amendment to introduce 10 additional flights to the airport. This proposal to add flights at an already strained DCA would adversely affect service quality, increase delays, and lead to more cancellations for all passengers.

Yesterday, DCA experienced a close call as two planes narrowly avoided a collision. This incident echoes a similar incident in March 2023 where two planes almost collided on DCA's runway. These near- misses underscore the critical need to safeguard the airport from additional flight operations.

DCA was originally designed to accommodate 15 million passengers. The airport is now projected to handle 25 million passengers this year.

In 2022, DCA ranked third in the Nation for its high cancellation rate among the busiest airports. Today, approximately 20-22 percent of flights departing and arriving at the airport are affected, leading to an average delay of 67 minutes.

The DCA slot-perimeter rule serves as a crucial mechanism for managing congestion and restricting nonstop flights at DCA. Its primary objective is to maintain a delicate operational and economic equilibrium among DCA, Dulles International Airport--IAD--and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport--BWI.

DCA and Washington Dulles International Airports--IAD--were federally designed and operate as a unified system on behalf of the government. Recognizing the constraints imposed by aircraft noise and community impact at DCA, Congress implemented the slot and perimeter rules. Dulles International was strategically positioned to serve as both the primary airport for regional growth and as an international gateway.

Ensuring operational stability has also facilitated a harmonious relationship with Thurgood Marshall Baltimore Washington International--BWI--ensuring that the broader interests of the region are effectively addressed. Our airports play a pivotal role in granting Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia access to the global economy, thereby generating employment opportunities and fostering regional growth.

The connectivity offered by our regional aviation network has been a driving force behind the relocation of major corporate headquarters such as SAIC, Hilton Hotels, Nestle USA, and Volkswagen of America to the area.

Changes to the slot perimeter rule at DCA will have profound impact on the economies of Maryland and Virginia, negatively impact service, and delays and place a strain on an already overburdened DCA.

The safety of the public should be of the utmost concern in the FAA bill. And increasing slots at this airport undermines that safety.

As passenger volumes recover from the pandemic impacts and return to serving nearly 75 million annual passengers, the need to maintain the balance of air service across all three airports is amplified.

My colleagues and I who represent the States of the National Capital Area region welcome a collaborative and open process should changes to our region's airports' operations be necessary. We ask that colleagues respect the need to work with us when changes are sought. As the House and Senate work toward a final FAA reauthorization bill, we oppose any proposals to add additional flights at DCA.

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