I am happy to be here today to join my colleagues Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member Oberstar, and Chairman Duncan in introducing the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, commonly referred to as AIR 21.

AIR 21 is the bill that is needed to prepare American aviation for the 21st Century. It is a comprehensive bill that addresses several vital aviation needs -

• the need to increase investment in aviation infrastructure,
• the need to increase competition and service to small communities,
• the need for management reform at the Federal Aviation Administration,
• the need to constantly improve on our nation's outstanding aviation safety record.

By unlocking the aviation trust fund and securing a general fund contribution for aviation, AIR 21 ensures an increased investment in aviation infrastructure. Increased investment in air traffic control modernization technology and in airport infrastructure today will mean increased capacity and efficiency in our national aviation system tomorrow.

In addition to unlocking the aviation trust fund, this bill increases competition and service to small and medium-sized communities. For example, AIR 21 eliminates the high-density rule at Chicago's O'Hare Airport and New York's LaGuardia and Kennedy Airports on March 1, 2000. Lifting the high-density rule at these three airports eliminates an artificial and unnecessary constraint that has acted as a barrier to entry, limiting competition and inflating prices at these airports.

By eliminating the high-density rule immediately at these three airports, we are leveling the playing field. All airlines, big or small, new or old, will now be able to serve Chicago O'Hare or New York's LaGuardia and Kennedy. In addition, airlines will be more inclined to serve small communities from these airports now that they do not have to worry about using their precious few slots on the most profitable routes.

The high-density rule was implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration in 1968 as a temporary measure to reduce delays and ease congestion. It is important to note that the rule was not implemented for safety reasons and lifting the high-density rule will not affect air safety. In fact, on February 11, 1999, Jane Garvey, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, testified before the House Subcommittee on Aviation that "there are no safety reasons" for the high-density rule.

The high-density rule has long out-lived its original purpose of reducing delays. Delays are down, particularly at O'Hare, but it is NOT because of the high-density rule. Rather, delays have decreased as result of air traffic control improvements, airline efficiencies, and airport investment. By unlocking the aviation trust fund and increasing investment in aviation infrastructure, AIR 21 will ensure that improvements will continue to made to our national aviation system - improvements which will further increase capacity and efficiency, further reducing delays and congestion.

AIR 21 also guarantees increased investment in airports by allowing local authorities to raise the Passenger Facility Charge beyond the current $3 cap. Since 1990, the PFC has helped finance vital safety, security, capacity and noise projects at airports throughout the country.

Again, AIR 21 is the bill that is needed to ensure that American aviation is able to soar into the 21st Century and beyond. I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of this bill.