by Robby Moore
The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the only airport in the country that operates under limited federal perimeters. This limitation unnecessarily constrains the general public’s access to flights while simultaneously increasing costs of tickets.
DCA, unlike other airports in the United States, has a federally mandated limit on the number of flights that are allowed in and out of the airport if travelling 1,250 miles or more. This constraint creates an imbalance between supply and demand, leaving travellers to face the repercussions of limited flights, limited flight times, lost productivity due to the need to make flight connections and increased costs.
Contrary to some public opinion, DCA is in the position to address the high demand and increase its capacity and flight availability without threatening the quality of services the airport already provides. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), reports that there are three times slots that are being underused that would allow DCA to add 12 new flights per hour. This would total to more than 28 flights being added to the three identified time periods. Another source that corroborates the FAA’s finding is the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO’s report states that DCA is operating beneath the 12 maximum authorized general aviation reservation. Meaning, there are times available to add longer and more direct flights outside the set federal perimeter.
The antiquated federal perimeter, which limits the number of long distance flights to and from DCA dates to the 1960’s. In recent years, flying has become a more attainable form of transportation for most of the American population. This common good, however, is threatened due to this outdated 60 year old policy. It’s time to lift DCA perimeter limits thereby expanding the number of long distance cities that have direct flights to and from DCA, while greatly reducing the price of tickets, relieving travel times and making our nation’s capitol more accessible to all.
As flying becomes more of a common good, it is vital that airports throughout the country have access to the nation’s capital. The limitations that are currently set around DCA are outdated and need to be expanded in order to provide for the increasing public demand. The United States is also based on the idea that the government is run by the people and for the people. However, limited access and increased flight tickets in order to reach our nation’s capital goes against the fundamental idea of allowing the public to influence and make decisions within our country. The time is now to change DCA for the better and allow the citizens easier access to our nation’s captial.
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Robby Moore is the Mayor of Lobelville, Tennessee. He was the 2018’s Republican Party Statesman of the Year for the 7th District.
