Chamber Opposes Privatization of Air Traffic Control

The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously to oppose HR 2997, the AIRR Act of 2017, which would remove our nation’s air traffic control operations from the Federal Aviation Administration. 

The Chamber believes this bill is damaging to commerce activities and threatens the safest, busiest and most complex air space in the world. 

“Privatizing our nation’s air traffic control system would negatively impact general aviation and rural communities resulting in increased costs for all travelers and would create significant barriers to business and corporate operations,” stated Chamber President Molly Grover.

General aviation accounts for billions of dollars in economic output and accounts for 98% of the air traffic at the Dubuque Regional Airport vs. air carrier activity. In the past four years alone business jets on the field at Dubuque Regional Airport have increased by 900%.

Robert Grierson, Airport Manager at the Dubuque Regional Airport, shared his gratitude on the Chamber’s opposition to the bill.

“I thank the Chamber for their proactive stance in protecting air traffic control resources for all system users. Hopefully Congress will pay attention to this grass roots action and find a better solution to the issues that plague the air traffic system modernization”.