Sen. Carper Votes In Support of Aviation Jobs Bill

WASHINGTON – Last night, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after voting for the Federal Aviation Administration Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, also known as the Aviation Jobs Bill. The job-creating bill will upgrade our nation’s aviation infrastructure, enacts consumer protection measures and improves air travel:

“One of my top priorities is to create a nurturing environment for business that facilitates job preservation and job creation, and the Aviation Jobs Bill does just that. This bill will create and save roughly 280,000 jobs by modernizing airports across the country, such as the Sussex County Airport in Georgetown. The bill will also strengthen our nation’s air travel infrastructure, bolster commerce through air travel and the transport of goods, and in turn benefit the broader American economy.

“The airline industry accounts for nearly 11 million American jobs and $1.2 trillion in annual economic activity, and our nation can’t afford to let this industry falter. I support the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill because it provides certainty, safety, and jobs that benefit both the airline industry and air passengers. This legislation continues to invest in the Airport Improvement Program, which provides grants to airports to enhance airport safety, capacity, security and address environmental concerns. I was heartened to see that we are putting additional resources into the Airport Improvement Program –increasing funding by 16 percent– which will ensure that funding is available to complete critical aviation projects across the country, including the Sussex County Airport runway extension project.

“This jobs legislation also improves airport technology, which will help reduce flight delays, air traffic, and noise at airports like Philadelphia International and Baltimore Washington International. As a resident of Wilmington, I know all too well the disruptive noise from planes flying in and out of the Philadelphia airport. The technology enhancements made possible by this bill will reduce frustrating, costly delays by more than 20 percent and reduce overall air traffic, which in turn will limit airplane noise. These reductions will also save passengers’ time and billions of dollars.

“This legislation also has important passenger protection measures that will prevent passengers from having to sit on runways for hours, and ensures that passengers will get timely, accurate information regarding their flights. All too often, we hear horror stories of passengers stranded on the runways for hours without food and water or access to other amenities. While some travel delays are inevitable, when they do happen this bill will require that airlines have effective plans in place for providing passengers with adequate access to food, water, restrooms and information about their flight.

“As this bill goes to the House for consideration, I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to see to its passage. I will also continue to support the Sussex County Airport runway extension project and other aviation projects affecting the First State to help foster economic growth and airport accessibility for Delawareans.”