Jim Moran's News Commentary

At a field hearing by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation held in an empty hangar at National Airport once used by general aviation, I urged the Bush Administration to restore general aviation services at the airport for the benefit of our regional economy.

The Transportation Security Administration would not offer a timetable for reopening the airport to general aviation nor would they even offer a reason why the airport can't restore general aviation service, simply citing "security" reasons.

There was a plan in 2002 that would have ensured the security of the skies around Washington while reopening National to general aviation. While there may be more than meets the eye, I still think there should be a dialogue among all parties involved in this discussion - especially the Secret Service - on how to bring general aviation back at National.

Keeping general aviation shuttered is costing the region substantial jobs and dollars.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, general aviation has been shuttered at National, leaving hundreds of people out of work. The restriction on general aviation, according to the National Business Aviation Association, is also costing the region $6 million a month in lost revenue from business generated by general aviation. They calculate that since September 11th, the Washington region has lost more than $170 million.

When general aviation was in full flight, it generated more than $24 million in revenues, largely from business travelers, for Signature Flight Support, the sole provider of ground support for general aviation at National. Now, Signature is losing $2 million annually because it still must provide limited ground support for the few government officials allowed to use National.

Our entire local economy also feels the negative effects of general aviation being grounded because businesses cannot fly in prospective clients nor can they utilize what was once a convenient and attractive feature of this region - the ability to hop on a plane on short notice and be able to meet foreign dignitaries, trade associations, government officials, and other businesses within 15 minutes of arriving at National.

General aviation needs to be restored at National for the good of our local economy and the good of the country, as we allow every sector of our economy to fully recover from the effects of September 11th.