New data finds an additional ten long-haul flights will increase delays by 725 minutes per day.
[WASHINGTON D.C., APRIL 29, 2024] – Just after midnight, congressional negotiators released new text for the long-anticipated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization bill that allows for 10 additional long-haul flights at Reagan National Airport (DCA). This is despite the fact that experts – including the FAA and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) – have repeatedly emphasized that DCA is at capacity, and that more flights would exacerbate delays, cancellations, and safety concerns at the overburdened airport. The move also rejects new data from the FAA that demonstrates that more flights at DCA would undermine passenger safety and convenience.
“The Coalition to Protect America’s Regional Airports (CPARA) believes protecting consumers should be the first priority when finalizing the FAA Reauthorization bill. Those who seek to add more flights to an already at-capacity and overburdened DCA jeopardize the best interest of the consumer and are ensuring more delays, congestion and cancellations for those traveling to and through our nation’s capital region. The experts agree, and the facts don’t lie: DCA is at capacity and cannot accommodate any more flights.” – CPARA
The data – released last week via the Senate delegations from Maryland and Virginia – found that:
- DCA is operating at near peak capacity, and every slot during normal hours is fully allocated to existing commercial flights.
- Adding more flights – even at 6am or 11pm – would cause more delays into the next hour that would then cascade throughout the rest of the day.
- 20 percent of departures and 22 percent of arrivals at DCA already experience delays, with a delayed passenger at DCA currently experiencing, on average, 67 minutes of delay.
- DCA is more prone to delays than other airports around the country, and any new flights added will only increase congestion and delays.
- An additional five round trip flights will increase delays by 725 minutes per day, leading to a total of 12,734 minutes of overall daily delay at DCA
Protect passengers’ best interests – get the facts. To promote safe, convenient travel to and from the nation’s capital, take action at: https://www.protectregionalairports.com/take-action/.
About The Coalition to Protect America’s Regional Airports
The Coalition to Protect America’s Regional Airports (CPARA) strongly believes that airport authorities – working with local communities and lawmakers – are best placed to make operational decisions at our airports, which will lead to safer, more convenient and sustainable air travel.
Our 150+ member coalition opposes any changes to the High Density (“slot”) and perimeter rules at Reagan National Airport (DCA). DCA is currently at capacity and at risk of being seriously overburdened should there be changes to the slot and perimeter rules. Adding more flights from DCA could create unnecessary gridlock, threaten jobs and local businesses, risk connectivity for countless communities and increase congestion, delays and noise.
