Organization Documents Its Efforts

A legislative priority of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) for the past three years, the reopening of DCA to charter and general aviation comes on the heels of legislation passed last week in the US House of Representatives Homeland Security Authorization and Appropriations bills.

“NATA has fought long and hard for the reopening of DCA to charter and general aviation operations,” said NATA President James K. Coyne. “We are ecstatic that these efforts, along with those of our other partners in industry, have led to the federal government finally issuing a security plan that will allow for the return of charter and general aviation to our nation’s capital airport.”

The new rules call for:

• A law enforcement official on all operations originating or terminating at DCA
• 48 slots per day spread out over 12 hours
• 12 portal airports have been designated and include: San Francisco; Seattle; Midway; Lexington, KY; Minneapolis; White Plains; Teterboro; LaGuardia; Philadelphia; Boston; West Palm Beach; Boston’s Logan and Houston’s Hobby
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel will screen all persons and baggage and will sweep all aircraft entering into and departing from DCA.
• 24-hour advance crew manifest submittals
• Criminal Record History Checks for all pilots
• Limited access for passengers around Signature Flight Support at DCA
• DHS reserves the right to close the airport at any time

NATA is one of the several alphabet groups that have led the charge to reopen DCA to charter and general aviation operations since the September 11th terrorist attacks. These efforts include extensive work with several federal agencies that have jurisdiction over this issue as well as an aggressive advocacy campaign to secure key Congressional support. 

Following is a timeline of NATA’s activities to reopen DCA to charter flights:

• September 2001:
  NATA forms the Business Aviation Security Task Force to develop “best practice” guidelines for fixed-base operators, air charter companies, aviation maintenance
  providers, and flight training schools. The task force issues a series of security recommendations that aviation businesses, their customers, and tenants are encouraged to support. Recommendations include background checks on all employees with access to aircraft; implementation of security procedures including designation of a corporate security coordinator; posting of emergency numbers and a security mission statement; vehicle verification and escort; and identification and escorting of all flight crew and passengers.
• Spring 2002:
  The Department of Transportation (DOT) announces completion of a program to restore DCA to general aviation. NATA and other industry groups are briefed on a six-part plan to reopen the airport to general aviation operations. The DOT halts this program in June 2002.
• March 2003:
  NATA files a petition for rulemaking with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The petition calls on the FAA to initiate rulemaking that would establish security procedures necessary to allow general aviation aircraft to operate to and from DCA. NATA’s petition can be viewed by clicking here.
• June 2003:
  The FAA denies NATA’s petition for rulemaking. NATA then submits security protocol concepts to the TSA including specific proposals to permit access to DCA for non-scheduled operations, beginning with those operators with TSA-mandated security programs in place.
• Spring/Summer 2003:
  NATA launches an aggressive campaign on Capitol Hill to secure support for reopening DCA. Over 60 US House of Representatives and US Senate members send President Bush, DHS Secretary Tom Ridge, and others letters in support of reopening DCA to general aviation. Download those letters here.
• December 2003:
  Congress passes and the President signs the FAA Reauthorization Act, Vision 100, which includes language directing the TSA to develop a plan within 30 days that would allow for the resumption of general aviation operations at DCA.
• March 2004:
  After months of inaction by the TSA, NATA and other industry groups testify at a House Subcommittee on Aviation hearing held at DCA. NATA President James Coyne’s testimony can be viewed by clicking here.
• July 2004:
  At the request of NATA and other general aviation groups, fifteen Members of Congress sign a letter to DHS Secretary Ridge asking that the department provide regulations for reopening DCA to general aviation operators ahead of time so they can quickly comply with the upcoming procedures.
• February 2005:
  Working closely with NATA in developing language, Sen. George Allen introduces S. 433, which would require the Department of Homeland Security to issue regulations permitting the reopening of DCA to general aviation within six months. Shortly following, Rep. Tom Davis introduces similar legislation in the House (H.R. 911).
• April 2005:
  After meeting with NATA and other general aviation representatives, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure introduces and passes legislation requiring DCA to open to general aviation within 60 days.
• May 2005:
  On consecutive days, the US House of Representatives passes two bills, each containing provisions mandating the return of charter and general aviation to DCA. The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act requires the DHS to reopen the airport within 60 days and the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act gives the department 90 days. Both bills are approved overwhelmingly.

“There are many, many federal and Congressional leaders who have contributed to this success story,” said Coyne (right). “On behalf of NATA and its 2,000 member companies, I would like to thank profoundly each of them for their dedication and tireless efforts.”

Commenting on the next 90 days, Coyne concluded, “As we now anticipate the implementation phase, NATA looks forward to continuing its work with key federal security officials and Congressional leaders to ensure that a safe, secure and effective process is put in place for the resumption of charter and general aviation operations.”

FMI: www.nata.aero