The world of aviation in the U.S. has changed dramatically in the past forty years. Today, there are many more planes of varying types flying, and they are carrying many more passengers. Prices that were once set by the U.S. government are now determined by market forces, resulting in no connection between air traffic control services and the revenues generated to support those services.
More and more corporate jets are flying in airspace that once was almost exclusively the domain of commercial airlines. In 1970 there were 1,800 corporate aircraft and 2,500 commercial planes. Today the numbers in both categories are higher – but more importantly, the airline to corporate aircraft ratio is vastly different as well: There are now 17,000 corporate aircraft and 8,000 commercial planes.
And while the aviation world has changed dramatically, the funding system on which it relies has not. It is time to modernize the air traffic control system, and to reform the means by which it is financed. Unnecessary delay by Congress will lead to costly delays for passengers and cargo.