Make Useful Investments in the NextGen System

 

We urge Congress to implement NextGen technology and systems wisely in order to create greater efficiencies in the aviation system.

 

Many airports – particularly those in areas of urban congestion, challenging terrain, or trying weather – are near or beyond their design capacities, leading to high delays, reduced levels of customer service, and significant adverse economic impacts.  These airports act as bottlenecks on the entire national air transportation system.  Eliminating these bottlenecks – in part through NextGen improvements – is essential to all of us that travel or ship goods by air.  However, to achieve these benefits it is critical that Congress and the FAA prioritize the rollout of NextGen programs and allow airport operators to have a seat at the table from inception to implementation of these capabilities. 

 

• Airports of all sizes are eager to realize the benefits of NextGen capabilities to provide safety and environmental benefits as well as billions of dollars in efficiency savings – from large hub airports where NextGen promises to enhance airfield and airspace capacity and efficiency to non-hub and general aviation airports where NextGen promises to improve airspace access and reduce needs for conventional ground-based navigational aids.
   

• Airport operators – who know the communities they serve best – must be involved in the development of all levels of NextGen in and around their airports.  From inception to implementation, airports should be part of the entire NextGen process to ensure the appropriate consideration of operational impacts, noise impacts, and other environmental impacts on the airports and their surrounding communities. 

 

• NextGen capabilities critical for airports include Required Navigational Performance (RNP)/Area Navigation (RNAV) flight procedures, improved surface management systems, and technologies that enhance all weather access to airports.