Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) came out against changing the perimeter rule for the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, saying it is “unacceptable” to change the rules for members of Congress flying long distances.
Manchin sent a letter to U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and ranking member Ted Cruz (R-TX) on Monday, stating that he is concerned changing the perimeter rule would affect regional airports as well.
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The proposal seeks to amend the DCA perimeter rule set by Congress in 1966. The rule placed restrictions on the number of long-distance flights over a 1,250-mile radius allowed from the airport. As of now, the restrictions allow for only 20 daily round trips to 10 routes over the perimeter to and from DCA. Seven airlines occupy these trips.
The Senate’s proposed bill, called the Direct Capital Access Act of 2023, would add 28 new in- and beyond-perimeter flights at DCA — something Manchin said will burden small to medium-sized communities within DCA’s perimeter.
“Its role in the Washington area’s airport system allows DCA to serve regional airports with shorter flights and smaller aircraft, and non-stop flights beyond the perimeter are limited to federally-granted exemptions,” Manchin wrote. “Changing the perimeter would result in more long-haul flights due to the higher profit margins they command. DCA is a space-constrained airport; should the number of long-haul flights increase, other flights must be eliminated to make room.”
Manchin added that the bill should not be considered based on increasing travel opportunities for lawmakers.
“It is unacceptable to put the connectivity of countless communities to our nation’s capital at risk, simply because of the added to convenience to some Members of Congress who reside hundreds if not thousands of miles across the country,” the West Virginia senator said. “Regional airports are gateways to the world for many communities across our country, as well as being centers of commerce.”
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) introduced the bill, with Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) as a co-sponsor. The bill is being considered by the Senate Commerce Committee to join the 2023 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill. The agency’s authorization is set to expire on Sept. 20, so Congress is cycling through a series of bills and amendments to reach the deadline.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, its bill to reauthorize the FAA, on June 14, setting it up to hit the House floor for a full vote. On the Senate side, the legislation is stalled in committee as members continue to debate over airport restrictions.
The CEOs of American, Alaska, and United airlines released a statement opposing the proposed changes, arguing that altering DCA operations to the proposed scale would “dramatically increase passenger delays and erode the operational integrity of the airport.”
“Inclusions of these provisions endanger timely passage of the critical FAA Reauthorization legislation to improve safety and efficiency of air travel for the entire system,” said CEOs Robert Isom, Ben Minicucci, and Scott Kirby.
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Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) told reporters at DCA last week that if the legislation proposed by Warnock and Lummis disrupts the balance between the three regional airports, he’ll “do everything I can to make sure that bill does not become a law.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House for comment.
