Since the late 1960s, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has been the only airport subject to a federally imposed perimeter rule, which limits the number of flights that are allowed to take-off and land outside a 1,250-mile perimeter.
However, the consumer, economic, technological and industry landscape has changed substantially in the last 60 years, and the rule’s original goals no longer apply to today’s air travel ecosystem in the nation’s capital.
Improving access to the nation’s capital will increase the affordability and efficiency of air travel, strengthen economic growth and better serve our nation’s capital.
That’s why we are asking Congress to help improve access to and from Washington, D.C. by authorizing additional direct flights to and from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) when they take up the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill this fall.
This will allow 800,000 to 1 million more passengers per year to be connected by non-stop flights to beyond-perimeter markets.
The current perimeter rule costs passengers $500 million in higher ticket prices. With additional direct flights to DCA, average ticket prices will be reduced and make travel to and from Washington, D.C. more affordable.
Passengers will spend less time on flights, making air travel faster and more efficient.
Approximately 1,000 to 1,300 new jobs will be created in the Washington, D.C., metro area, including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and reservation agents.
The Washington, D.C. region would see $320 to $400 million in economic value, including $50 to $70 million in federal and state tax revenue.
Currently, passengers flying out of Washington, D.C. burn 15% more emissions than the average for top metros. Additional direct flights to and from DCA would reduce carbon emissions and better serve our environment.