Thu, May 26, 2005
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.”
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