O'Rourke Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Attract More Nonstop Flights

Press Release

Congressman Beto O'Rourke partnered with Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn on Thursday to introduce H.R. 5766.

This bill updates and permanently fixes the eligibility requirements for a Department of Transportation (DOT) grant program that helps expand service at small and underserved airports like the El Paso International Airport.

Currently, airlines operating in El Paso only offer direct flights to ten cities around the U.S., four of which are to other cities in Texas. This legislation would help El Paso compete for new routes and new carriers.

"This bill will increase the competitiveness of El Paso by providing the El Paso Airport assistance it needs to expand service, boost our economy, and gain quicker access to more parts of the country," said Congressman Beto O'Rourke.

"I applaud Congressman O'Rourke's efforts in introducing this important legislation that would help El Paso International Airport attract new air service to our region through use of incentives. Our competitiveness, in regard to economic development, relies on accessibility and this bill will ultimately help with local economic growth," said Mayor Oscar Leeser.

At present, the law authorizing this grant stipulates that only airports considered small hubs in 1997 are eligible for the program. Since that time, several airports have been downgraded from medium hubs to small hubs as a result of losing a proportion of the overall air traffic in the United States.

"This legislation will allow for small hubs, such as El Paso International Airport is classified today, to receive much needed grant funding for air service development, given that small hub airports have been hit the hardest by capacity reductions," said Monica Lombraña, A.A.E., Director of Aviation.

More connections to key destinations make El Paso more competitive and help make the city more attractive for investment.

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