ARLINGTON, Va. — More flights would be coming in and out of DCA under a proposed bill, and several lawmakers say this would be a big mistake.
Under a provision in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, five incoming and five outgoing flights would be added to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Several senators say this would risk passenger safety and cause further delays at the already "overburdened airport."
On Tuesday, Senator Tim Kaine took the lead in criticizing the decision.
"That near collision two weeks ago was a flashing warning light telling Congress don’t do this," he said in a Zoom press gaggle with reporters.
"When you hear these air traffic controllers shouting frantically, 'Stop! stop!' to those two planes to avoid what could have been a very catastrophic collision, you see the danger congestion provides."
The decision to add more flights comes after the airport experienced a near-miss between two aircrafts just last week. Lawmakers say this further highlights the need to reject adding more flights.
“We understand the desire of senators to shorten their commutes home, but this proposal would benefit few while impacting many, first and foremost in safety but also in delays and in reducing the economic competitiveness of smaller destinations within the perimeter. The senators representing the region and the people who most use this airport stand uniform against a provision negotiated without us that will guarantee more unacceptable delay and compromise passenger safety,” the senators who opposed the changes said in a press release.
Lawmakers who oppose the addition of new flights at DCA include U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-MD). They issued a joint release on Monday rejecting the changes.
On the other hand, a group that has advocated to increase the number of slots at DCA disagrees with the safety concerns. A spokesperson claimed the April 'Near Miss' was not caused by overcrowding at DCA.
The spokesperson went to tell WUSA, several government studies have supported safely adding flights to DCA and that the addition of flights would drive down airline ticket costs.
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