United Airlines' CEO links customer service issues to lack of progress on air traffic and airport upgrades

While United CEO Scott Kirby's comments might be read as an attempt to shift blame away from the airlines for customer service issues, he is partially right. While the U.S. aviation industry received far more government support than did its international competitors, the FAA's Air Traffic Organization has been slow to incorporate new technologies into air traffic control, contributing to airspace and terminal area congestion. In addition, U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA congestion-management policies need to be upgraded for slot-controlled airports; if they are, more flights would be permitted at airports such as John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport serving the New York market.

The FAA and its programs, including air traffic control, will be reauthorized after September 30, 2023, when the current authorization expires. Now is the right time for all stakeholders in aviation to develop recommendations for new policies and the funding to support them. Steer will be laying out the major issues to be considered over the next few weeks.