The aviation industry's fuel-driven financial jam calls for bold steps, even the temporary suspension of limits on foreign ownership of commercial carriers, leaders of the nation's airports said in a policy report to be released today.
The American Association of Airport Executives say that cuts in airline capacity are fundamentally changing U.S. air service - and that they need both flexibility from government regulations and government support to deal with the crisis.
Their report was drafted after an emergency summer meeting of airport officials, called in response to aviation's fuel-related quandary. Director Ricky Smith of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport participated.
The executives cited findings of a House subcommittee that domestic carriers have stopped flying more than 400 routes since March as their profit margins vanished with escalating fuel prices.
Small airports are hit especially hard, the executives said. Others affected by reduced air service include general-aviation airports, fixed-base operators that sell jet fuel and other services, and charter companies.
The 15-page report calls for a number of government initiatives to bolster airports hammered by air service losses. |
