Senators Propose To Ease Limits On Nonstop Service From National - Jun 12 , 2009
Senators John Ensign (R-Nev.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) introduced legislation June 8 to again loosen Washington National's federally imposed perimeter restrictions, which limit most nonstop services to markets within 1,250 miles of the airport, and said they hope to attach it to the FAA reauthorization bill.
Under their proposal, airlines using National slots as of Jan. 1, 2009, for service to a large-hub airport would be able to use the slot for service to any airport; that limited exception is designed to protect service to smaller communities. Boxer lamented the lack of nonstop service to the West Coast, which now consists of Alaska's Los Angeles service under one of the earlier exemptions. Ensign said travelers "have clearly demonstrated a need for additional flights to the West, including Las Vegas."
U.S. Senate Amendment
SECTION 1. EXTENDING THE LENGTH OF FLIGHTS FROM RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT.
Section 41718 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(g) Use of Airport Slots for Beyond Perimeter Flights- Notwithstanding section 49109 or any other provision of law, any air carrier that holds or operates air carrier slots at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as of January 1, 2009, pursuant to subparts K and S of part 93 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, which are being used as of that date for scheduled service between that airport and a large hub airport (as defined in section 40102(a)(29)), may use such slots for service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and any airport located outside of the perimeter restriction described in section 49109.'.