By Elizabeth Case, Research Associate, RPA
If you flew over the holidays, if you fly for business, or if you take the occasional trip that requires air travel, this message is for you.
As a user of the region’s airports, you know that flying into or out of our three airports is all too often a major hassle. Regular Spotlight readers may even remember reading that delays and cancellations cost the region’s economy a lot of money — $2.6 billion a year, to be precise. Not to mention the fact that delays here impact the nation’s entire aviation system: a full three-quarters of the country’s air delays originate in our three major airports.
And of course there are frequent reminders of the fragility of the system. The snowstorm the week before Christmas and the security shutdown of Newark Airport over the holidays are poignant examples of how little it takes to throw off a piece of the complex system of take-offs and arrivals. Delays will likely get worse in the near future as the main runway at JFK is shut down for four months for renovation.
The good news is there is something you can do about it.
In response to the challenges facing aviation in our region, RPA is launching an advocacy campaign called the Better Airports Alliance. We are writing today to ask if you will join this effort.
The goals of the Better Airports Alliance are simple and straightforward – to increase public understanding of the urgent issues facing the New York Region’s airports, reduce the negative impacts airport congestion currently has on the economy and the environment, and plan for future growth.
While air travel is down slightly now as a result of the Great Recession, it will come back. As it does, and as we look at growth trends over the next decades, it is abundantly clear we are not equipped to handle future air traffic. The time to act is now, as most solutions will require major investments. No single solution exists, but implementing a package will depend on swayed public opinion and the support of decision makers necessary to make changes and spur investment.
The Alliance’s effort will be two-fold: Phase One, which will begin immediately, will be elevating the issue of airport congestion as a major topic of concern in the public’s eye. Phase Two will be implementing a slate of recommended actions coming out of a research process RPA is currently leading with a broad group of the region's aviation stakeholders, including businesses, civic groups, and local governments and agencies. Phase Two will begin in mid-2010 when recommendations are complete.
Working with a uniform message and effort, we can get real solutions enacted and prepare for a more prosperous future.
What can you do to help?
To start, you can take this short survey to tell us about your experience with delays. We will keep you informed about the latest ways to improve airports and take action.
We look forward to hearing from you.
@RegionalPlan
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