If the bill governing the implementation of privatized air traffic control services goes into effect it will undoubtedly be a terrible mistake made by the our policy makers decisions. The general aviation community strongly opposes this shift to privatizing air traffic control for one reason specifically, and that is the addition of user fees on an per time basis. Currently air traffic control is government subsidized by a tax through fuel fees, which has been a efficient way of providing services to pilots for decades. While the general aviation perspective on privatization is double-sided, the most common argument I have seen while researching the topic is the strong opposition for another fee being added to the cost of owning an airplane. The more important area of interest that law makers and pilots should be concerned about is repercussions that will follow by pilots opting to not use services they normally would such as; flight following, or filing an IFR flight plan in marginal VFR conditions due to the user fees associated with such services.
To my surprise major airlines are big supporters of the push to allow for privatized air traffic control facilities. Similar to all decisions made by the executives within fortune 500 companies there is always a motive when a push for a change within the industry exists. In the case of this regulation and almost all other reforms, it concerns potential savings or money! By air traffic control transitioning to a privatized system there are a number of benefits to air carriers such as a quicker implementation of NextGen into the NAS and a large reduction in the amount of money spent on fuel, which is an airlines single handedly largest cost. JetBlue Airlines is one of the U.S carriers to voice their opinion on the bill that will allow for the reduction in route times and fuel burn per hour which equals large savings even at small percentages (Jansen, B). Delta Airlines on the other hand is not a proponent of the idea of privatized ATC. I am not sure of this to be true or not but since Delta Airlines is the biggest airline in the United States their opinion on the matter may weigh more heavily in the eyes of the FAA when it comes time to make such a decision (Barton, E)
The privatization of air traffic control is not a new idea and other foreign countries have been on board with the idea for some time now. Canada is the home to the most well known subsidized ATC facilities out there today, even being used by the United States as a model to use when creating our own model plan for the future. There are associated risks and rewards for implementing a system to this degree as can be expected. The system runs more efficiently by allowing equipment and services to be updated at a faster rate than could be experienced by a government ran ATC (Call to action issued over ATC privatization).
Similar to all laws, if the lawmakers do decide it will be in the best interest of the people to hand over the responsibilities of the FAA over to civilian contractors, the idea will go through the same process that other pre laws go through before they actually become added to U.S Code. To my understanding since the FAA has the jurisdiction over air transportation it will not be debated across the house and senate but will be an internal matter resolved only within the FAA.
I cannot emphasize enough how against the privatization of of FAA control towers that I am. Not only do I think they will be inefficient but the dramatic effect on safety that they have will be paramount. It is possible that 50 or more years from now when our technology is so advanced that we hardly need human ATC intervention at all that the privatization of ATC could be efficient. Like I have already mentioned a number of times, the safety of the ATC system will be adversely affected by this shift to privatization. To make up for the lack of funding that normally comes through a fuel tax, the private ATC towers will generate their revenue by charging for services, similar to an a la carté style. What I mean by that is, pilots will no longer be provided all services equally for free . It so detrimental to safety that we do not go through with this method of ATC privatization because pilots will most likely stop using services that aid with safety like vfr flight following or filing an ifr flight plan in efforts to save money when able.
Barton, E. (2015, September 10). Transportation Watchdog Lauds Privatized Air Traffic Control. Retrieved December 5, 2015, from http://dailycaller.com/2015/09/10/transportation-watchdog-lauds-privatized-air-traffic-control/
Call to action issued over ATC privatization. (2015, July 8). Retrieved December 5, 2015, from http://generalaviationnews.com/2015/07/08/call-to-action-issued-over-atc-privatization/
Jansen, B. (2015, December 2). Airline executives urge privatization of air-traffic control. Retrieved December 6, 2015, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/12/01/airline-executives-urge-privatization-air-traffic-control/76604766/
you brought up some interesting points Matt, you are absolutely right in terms of GA pilots strong opposition to a privatized ATC system due to the user fees that will follow.
ReplyDeleteNice job! We both found in our research that major airlines are most likely in support of privatization to capitalize on money. The fact that GA pilots would pick up a lot of the fees if we move to privatization seems unfair and we both oppose that as well.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your perspective, I agree that this is something that may be applicable to the U.S. after some years of improved technology efficiency. I believe it's understandable and not shocking that a good portion of the major airlines want a private company running the ATC. They want instant gratification of new technology that the private sector could bring that the current system isn't quickly satisfying.
ReplyDeleteI like the enthusiasm Daniel son. If I interpreted Congressmen Shuster’s proposal correctly, I believe it’s written to fund the new nongovernment agency that would take over ATC functions by fees in an attempt to completely isolate it from future government budget crisis and/or shutdowns. I can see the rationale, but that’s a no-go in my book- bad proposal. I’m certain there are better and less expensive funding options that those smarter than I could up with, especially since private ATC operations would require less to operate than at the bloated government cost. I was going to delve into the safety aspect as well, but other bloggers need my love too. Good post, good talk.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you, I do not see any additional benefits coming from privatizing ATC. They only thing that I can see coming is higher airfare and higher GA fees. I don’t not think we can base our success with privatizing ATC on how well Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are because their air transportation sector is much small than our.
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