Latest information on the FAA Reauthorization Bill July 25, 2023 - The House voted to Reject changing the DCA slot perimeter rules. The next step is for the Senate to vote to Reject changing the DCA slot perimeter rules. If both the House and the Senate agree, the slot perimeter rules will remain, ensuring Safe, Efficient Travel at DCA.
Since 1987, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has managed Reagan National (DCA) and Dulles International Airports (IAD) as a single system with complementary roles for the two airports. When Congress established MWAA, it entrusted this entity with overseeing the so-called “slot and perimeter rules” that were created in the 1960s to limit the number of flights to and from DCA as well as to designate a perimeter beyond which flights could not travel. These rules were created out of concern for DCA’s limited physical size and capacity and its proximity to noise-sensitive residential areas, as well as to ensure DCA fulfills its intended objective of providing access to the nation’s capital for regional airports and smaller communities within the perimeter. DCA is currently at capacity and at risk of being seriously overburdened should there be changes to the slot and perimeter rules. Moreover, any changes to the slot and perimeter rules threaten to undermine the access of regional airports and their communities to the D.C. area, as well as increase delays, traffic, congestion, noise, and safety concerns. - Coalition to Protect America's Regional Airports
[WASHINGTON D.C., JULY 19, 2023] – This evening, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to protect safe and efficient air travel by opposing adding more flights to the already at-capacity Reagan National Airport [DCA]. CPARA and its nearly 150 members nationwide commend the Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle who voted to ensure safety, limit delays, and cancellations, and protect regional access to the nation’s capital for communities across the country. As the issue moves to the Senate, substantial and growing opposition to adding more flights at DCA will ensure that Congress passes the critically needed FAA Reauthorization bill on time.
Tonight’s vote in the House is another example of the growing consensus that DCA is already at capacity and that more flights will increase delays, cancellations, congestion, and safety concerns at what is already the busiest commercial runway in the country. Experts like the local airport authority, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority [MWAA], and the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] agree, as do hundreds of airports, public officials, businesses, and chambers of commerce from across the county.
“CPARA commends those members of the House of Representatives from both parties who voted to protect safe and efficient travel by opposing changes to the DCA slot and perimeter rules. As the Senate turns to this issue, multiple Senators on both sides of the aisle oppose additional flights at DCA, leaving Congress with a choice: protect safe and efficient travel, or increase congestion and delays. CPARA is confident that Congress will pass a final FAA Reauthorization bill that invests in safe, efficient travel for Americans, without more delays, cancellations, and congestion.” – CPARA
If the slot/perimeter rules at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are changed to allow larger long-distance planes to land at Regan. All of us who live in Accokeek, Brandywine, and Fort Washington will experience increased noise and pollution. A proposed amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill would increase the number of flights out of DCA serving destinations outside the 1,250-mile perimeter. - SMFSC
Over a hundred organizations have joined the Coalition to Protect America's Regional Airports (CPARA) to prevent changes to DCA's slot/perimeter rule.
Tomorrow (July 19, 2023), the House of Representatives will vote on the Owens perimeter rule amendment that will add flights to Reagan National Airport (DCA). This is not a “compromise” amendment, as you may have heard, because any amendment that leads to more delays, cancellations, congestion, and noise – and is opposed by the FAA and the local airport authority – is no compromise at all.
Now is the time to make your voice heard. If you have sent a letter in the past, thank you, but please consider contacting your representatives again.
Here are two simple things you can do:
Use CPARA grassroots action center to contact your representatives and make sure they understand you oppose any effort, amendment, or bill that changes DCA’s slot and perimeter rules, including the Owens perimeter rule amendment.
Call your representative directly at (202) 224-3121. That number is the Congressional switchboard, and you can be asked to be connected with your representatives (you can look up your representative by zip code at house.gov). You can leave a message with the office about your opposition to any effort, amendment, or bill that changes DCA’s slot and perimeter rules.
Again, we believe a vote on the amendment will happen on Wednesday (tomorrow), with a final vote on the FAA Reauthorization on Thursday (July 20, 2023). NOW is the time to be heard!
Latest from the Coalition to Protect America's Regional Airports about the slot/perimeter rule at DCA: June 27, 2023
While markup of the FAA Reauthorization bill was delayed in the Senate, the Senate Commerce Committee is expected to reconvene after the 4th of July recess and take up the bill once again. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will also move forward on their version of the bill.
What does this mean? Communicating your opposition to ANY changes to DCA’s slot and perimeter rules is CRUCIAL.
Let’s be clear: the backroom deals and proposals being discussed right now would add flights to an airport already at capacity, increasing delays, congestion, noise, and safety concerns at the busiest runway in America.
The slot/perimeter rules at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) - Airlines serving Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (Reagan National) are subject to, among other federal operational requirements, (1) a "perimeter rule," limiting nonstop flights to 1,250 miles unless there is an exemption, and (2) a "slot" or operating authorization requirement for each takeoff and landing.
Suppose the slot/perimeter rules at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are changed to allow larger long-distance planes to land at Regan. All of us who live in Accokeek, Brandywine, and Fort Washington will experience increased noise and pollution. A proposed amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill would increase the number of flights out of DCA serving destinations outside the 1,250-mile perimeter. - SMFSC
I received permission from The Montgomery County Quiet Skies Coalition to post this information.
Latest from the Coalition to Protect America's Regional Airports the slot/perimeter rule at DCA: June 27, 2023
While markup of the FAA Reauthorization bill was delayed in the Senate, the Senate Commerce Committee is expected to reconvene after the 4th of July recess and take up the bill once again. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will also move forward on their version of the bill.
What does this mean? Communicating your opposition to ANY changes to DCA’s slot and perimeter rules is CRUCIAL.
Let’s be clear: the backroom deals and proposals being discussed right now would add flights to an airport already at capacity, increasing delays, congestion, noise, and safety concerns at the busiest runway in America.
Montgomery County Quiet Skies Coalition
Click here to file Noise Complaints:https://viewpoint.emsbk.com/dca3
Questions about the Coalition? Visit our website at:www.MoCoQuietSkies.orgor email us at:info@mocoquietskies.org
June 16, 2023 - Latest Updates on the Slot/Perimeter Rule Fight at DCA
On Tuesday, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a markup of the FAA Reauthorization. An amendment to add more flights to DCA was withdrawn, and the committee ultimately passed the bill out of committee without any changes to the slot and perimeter rules.
On Wednesday, Senators Van Hollen, Cardin, Kaine and Warner published an editorial in the Washington Post (June 14) stating that
National Airport Changes Spell Disaster for Our Constituents, and Punchbowl News provided a detailed behind-the-scenes analysis of the fight in Congress (June 15): Battle Lines Drawn on FAA Fight
On Thursday, there was more drama as the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation suddenly postponed their markup of the bill after confusion about last-minute amendments and deals that had not been fully shared with Committee members, including one to add more flights at DCA. On Thursday evening, the Washington Post reported on the possible Senate Committee back-room deal to add more flights (June 15): Senate Deal Would Add Four Long-Distance Flights to National Airport
Today, the entire Montgomery County Council sent a letter (attached) to Senators Cardin and Van Hollen urging them to continue to stand firm against any weakening of the slot/perimeter rules.
To be continued....
SO -- IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY -- PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL!
Let our MD legislators know how important this issue is to you,
and thank them for their support!
Senator Cardin: Shannon_Frede@cardin.senate.gov
Senator Van Hollen: Deborah_Haynie@vanhollen.senate.gov
Congressman Jamie Raskin: Lucy.Shaw@mail.house.gov
Montgomery County Quiet Skies Coalition
Click here to file Noise Complaints:https://viewpoint.emsbk.com/dca3
MC Quiet Skies Coalition website:www.MoCoQuietSkies.org
If you have any questions about the Coalition, send email to:mont.co.quietskies@gmail.com
The Montgomery County Quiet Skies Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization, which means that your donations are tax-deductible. Donations to the Montgomery County Quiet Skies Coalition can be sent to:
MCQSC Ltd.
PO Box 131
Glen Echo, MD 20812
Link to article - FBI, airport fights put DC-area senators in spotlight | The Hill
the Democratic foursome — Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner — is fighting an expansion of direct long-distance flights out of DCA as part of the FAA reauthorization bill that also must pass by Sept. 30. A proposed amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill would increase the number of flights out of DCA serving destinations outside of the 1,250-mile perimeter.
At present, the airport has only 11 flights to cities outside that perimeter. The amendment, which is supported by both Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the panel’s ranking member, would add four flight slots for long-distance cities.
