President's Message

Taking Care of Our Skyways

Tony DeNovellis, President and CEO

In 1999 and 2000, when Congress considered airline passenger rights legislation, AAA went on record stating that the effort to address increasing complaints about air travel must begin with infrastructure. This remains true today. (Please see Commentary regarding AAA's Airline Passenger Bill of Rights)

Air travel demand continues to outstrip capacity. Until significant progress is made to expand capacity, flight delays, cancellations and frustration will be the ongoing experience of the nation's air travelers.

Passage of the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21) was a significant step because it provides much of the funding necessary to begin addressing airport capacity shortfalls and air traffic control (ATC) modernization needs. This commitment to increased investment must be maintained over the life of AIR-21 and in subsequent reauthorization legislation. Without long-term investment in the nation's transportation infrastructure, we cannot keep pace with growing demand.

Because capacity expansion efforts such as new runways, airports and ATC technology improvements are somewhere in the future, all stakeholders in the aviation community must work together to implement short-term measures that address the public's growing dissatisfaction. Customer service alone will not solve our current capacity woes, but it will help ease the anxiety, frustration and bewilderment of air travelers.

Action by airlines in the near-term to reduce delays and cancellations and improve customer service is critical. The 2001 spring/summer travel season is expected to be just as busy, if not more, than 2000, which saw record delays and cancellations. Airlines must take responsibility for problems under their control. To the extent that they have done this, the traveling public is better off; to the extent that they have fallen short, AAA believes it is time to insist on better service. Some airlines are better than others at providing a quality air travel experience. The poorer performers can benefit not only from increased oversight and targeted legislation, but also from providing better service.

Tony DeNovellis
President and CEO


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