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Too much air traffic leading to unfriendly skies
December 11, 1997
Concerns for safety grow as the nation's skies and airports approach gridlock
Web posted at: 11:58 a.m. EST (1658 GMT)WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Within 13 years, the global skies could become so congested with air traffic that we could see a major airline accident every seven to 10 days, according to a study commissioned by the U.S. Congress.
The report released Thursday by the National Civil Aviation Review Commission (NCARC) concentrates on air travel concerns and safety in the U.S. skies, but it warns that air congestion is a worldwide problem that will only get worse unless improvements are made.
One solution: "Without doubt, a better air traffic control system with the kind of innovations that are happening in terms of technology in aviation," NCARC Chairman Norman Mineta told CNN.
The snowball effect
While the current rate of air accidents in the United States is low, there have been virtually no improvements in aviation safety in the past 30 years, the report says. The safety issue will be compounded by the growth in air traffic, which is nearing capacity, Mineta's committee says.
Continued growth in air traffic will lead to gridlock -- as early as 2004 or 2005, the study says. That will create backups at most airports. The need for more airports, and airports that need improvements, contribute to the problem, according to the findings.
The crash of TWA Flight 800 may prompt more changes in airline regulations There are not enough new airports being built, and many older ones need modernization, according to the report. The NCARC warns that unless the federal government makes a stronger commitment to building more airports and updating the old ones, the problems will mount.
A stronger federal commitment means strengthening the Federal Aviation Administration. The study says the FAA needs more money, more staff and more resources. It also warns that the FAA is too myopic -- concentrating more on its own bureaucracy than on those who use the system.
"What we really want to be able to do now, is to have government and the aviation industry working together right now to find that strategic solution, knowing that there is gridlock and the potential of increased accidents if we don't do something to address the problem today," Mineta told CNN.
The NCARC study on aviation funding and safety began earlier this year. The commission was created by the FAA reauthorization legislation, passed by Congress in 1996.
Correspondent Carl Rochelle contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- FAA orders warning system check at U.S. airports - August 11, 1997
- Close calls with fighter jets leave air travelers uneasy - February 9, 1997
- Aviation commission to address safety concerns next week - February 7, 1997
- FAA confronts more intense scrutiny, workload - November 22, 1996
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