RESOLUTION ON AIRPORT CAPACITY

WHEREAS, efficient transportation is a vital factor in furthering business and economic opportunity, quality of life and employment growth; and

WHEREAS, communities across the nation are facing serious airport capacity issues with skyrocketing air flight delays and significant financial, scheduling and service consequences; and

WHEREAS, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, flight delays nationwide increased 58 percent from 1995 to 1999; and

WHEREAS, many conditions cause delays ranging from bad weather, inoperable runways and airport capacity limitations to aircraft equipment problems and air traffic equipment outages; and

WHEREAS, several cities have embarked on major efforts to address these delays and safety concerns, including studying in-depth alternatives to reduce delays and working closely with federal and regional policy makers, environmental groups, airline officials, pilots, business and community leaders, and other interested parties; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation is leading an effort to address this issue making it a central challenge of the Department to close the gap between the public demand for efficient transportation and the capacity of our transportation infrastructure to meet this demand; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation has committed resources and is working in concert with local airport authorities to improve passenger and cargo flight efficiency and safety,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the Administration and Congress to work closely with cities, airport boards and airport authorities to provide for capacity solutions that help meet current and future air travel demands.