The Regional Airline Association’s first formal get-together since the events of September 11 assumed an understandably reflective mood, as some of the industry’s most influential figures discussed the prospects for an industry recovery. For regional airlines, the speed at which such a recovery arrives may
depend on Capitol Hill’s ability to resolve the issues of airport security and Essential Air Service funding–perhaps the two most talked about subjects during the RAA fall meeting, held November 6 and 7 at the Wyndham Hotel in northwest Washington, D.C.
A year ago congestion pricing, airport capacity and air traffic control dominated the conversation among RAA delegates. This year those issues got nary a mention until the meeting’s annual closing day luncheon, where deputy DOT secretary Michael Jackson addressed the attendees. “We have core infrastructure projects that need to be supported,” said Jackson. “So as we have all these other responsibilities on us, and a new set of problems and priorities to massage, we also have the old issues that we should not let go of.”
