U.S. Airports Need $50-Billion Update, House Panel Told

The nation’s airports need an infusion of up to $50 billion for facilities development or the air transport system faces “gridlock,” a House subcommittee heard Tuesday.

Otis Dunham, chairman of Airport Operators Council International, told the House Public Works and Transportation Committee’s subcommittee on aviation that it would cost $50 billion, adjusting for inflation, to build up American airport facilities to meet public demand by 1995.

Representatives of the National Assn. of Aviation Officials and the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assn. put the cost of more runways and terminals, land for new airfields, access roads and parking at $25 billion to $35 billion, in current dollars. The Bush Administration has indicated that state and local governments will have to foot the bill for a majority of that development.

About 450 million people traveled on commercial aircraft within the United States last year. By the year 2000, that figure is expected to reach 800 million, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

“The continued rapid growth of aviation will place added strain on our air transportation system,” said Joseph Del Balzo, the FAA’s executive director of system development.

“Airports are reaching the point highways have reached in many urban areas--gridlock,” Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the subcommittee, said. The panel is trying to draft legislation by April that would address the nation’s shortage of runways and how best to fund the development.

Del Balzo said 21 of the United States’ 22 largest airports already experience 20,000 or more hours of flight delays a year.

“If we fail to act, that number will increase in the next 10 years,” he said. “Delays are costing billions in increased fuel costs, lost productivity and missed connections.”

Despite the congestion, the federal government has allowed a $7 billion surplus to build up in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which is earmarked for airport expansion and air traffic control projects. The unspent funds have been placed in the Treasury Department’s general reserve to offset the federal deficit.

Only $700 million has been earmarked for spending on aviation facilities improvements this year--less than half what was appropriated.

FAA and industry officials said that in addition to federal dollars, they need an assessment of “passenger facility charges.” Such fees could range from $1 to $3 per passenger, possibly collected only from passengers using larger airports.

Congressional members have shied away from that proposal, saying it would amount to a new tax on airline patrons.