U.S. Department Of Transportation Announces New Direct Flights To & From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Washington, D.C. – The Capital Access Alliance (CAA), a coalition of transportation and business leaders from Virginia and around the country seeking to make air travel to and from Washington, D.C., more accessible and affordable, reacted today to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) tentative decision announcing five new direct flights to and from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) following the airline bidding process. This was the result of bipartisan legislation passed by Congress in May under the strong leadership of U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ranking Republican Ted Cruz (R-TX), as well as the strong support of many members in both the House and Senate.
The new routes include:
“For the first time in more than 10 years, air travelers have new direct flight options to and from our nation’s capital at DCA,” said CAA Spokesperson and Northern Virginia resident Brian Walsh. “These five new flights will result in more competition and are a tremendous win for consumers. Travelers will benefit from more choices and convenience and hopefully see relief from Washington, D.C.’s highest-in-the-nation ticket prices, as more market competition will help reduce expensive airfare.
“These new flights are a pivotal first step toward making air travel more affordable, but it should not be the last. More work must be done to strengthen access to the national capital region, as Federal Aviation Administration data shows that DCA can safely add even more flights. While we are grateful that Congress stood on the side of consumers and rejected the bureaucracy at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority that favored one airline, we should continue to strive toward utilizing DCA to best serve air travelers.
“The ultimate lesson learned is that stifling competition because of an outdated and arbitrary federal policy is not in the best interest of consumers. The U.S. Department of Transportation received more than 20,000 public comments supporting these flights, underscoring the need for continued progress. As demand for air travel to and from our nation’s capital grows, re-examining the perimeter rule and adding a modest number of additional flights should be an ongoing discussion among Members of Congress. We encourage lawmakers to continue working together to make our nation’s capital an affordable destination for all,” Walsh concluded.
About CAA
CAA consists of diverse members from around the country and various industries, including transportation, general business groups, the small business sector, entrepreneurs and job creators, organizations focused on economic development, and leaders in the civic and policy communities.
Learn more about Capital Access Alliance HERE.
###