Letter to the Editor

Small airports are economic engines

To the editor:The AP story about funding for local airports ("Airline ticket taxes fund corporate jets and execs") appeared devoid of any understanding of business aviation, air traffic-system funding or the needs of communities and towns nationwide.

Local airports serve a critical role for towns with little or no airline service by supporting flights for small and midsized businesses, schools, universities, emergency medical services, postal services and firefighting teams, among others.

The airports are local economic engines, bringing people and goods from communities to national and global markets and stimulating economic growth. The activity generated by flights through these airports employs more than one million people nationwide.

The story blatantly mischaracterizes the business aviation community, which uses general aviation aircraft for a business purpose. This community is made up mostly of small- and mid-size businesses that often fly piston-engine and turboprop planes to maximize the efficiency and productivity of their employees.

Also misrepresented was the role of the pending proposal for funding the Federal Aviation Administration, which is being pushed by the big airlines and would replace our ultra-efficient tax system for funding aviation needs with a schedule of fees that would favor giant hub airports.

All Americans benefit from the nation's airport system. Any proposal for FAA reauthorization must protect aviation access for small towns and communities. That won't happen with a scheme that saddles businesses with tax hikes and fees, and disadvantages community airports.

ED BOLEN, President, National Business Aviation Association, Washington, D.C.