REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE MARY PETERS
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
BUFFALO-NIAGARA AIRPORT
BUFFALO, NY
MARCH 3, 2008
1:30 PM
Good afternoon! It’s great to be in Buffalo. I want to thank everyone who came
to join us today including William Vanecek, the airport’s Director of Aviation.
I especially want to thank Congressman Reynolds for showing me this airport’s
success first-hand, and for inviting me to Buffalo.
The growth of this airport is impressive. Passenger counts reached an all-time
high in 2007—13 years ahead of projections. And, more flights have been added to
more destinations to meet the ever growing demand for air travel services.
As Congressman Reynolds knows all too well, congestion delays at the three New
York City-area airports has a tremendous impact on the quality of travel in
places like Buffalo.
Here at Buffalo-Niagara, nearly one out of every three flights to JFK and Newark
were delayed in 2007. And there’s no telling how many other delays to flights
from Buffalo to elsewhere are effected by tie-ups on JFK’s tarmacs.
These delays are more than a nuisance. They are a threat to the success of
airports like this, and to communities like Buffalo. Flight delays waste time,
deny travel opportunities and hurt economic growth.
That’s why last December, the Bush Administration announced several aggressive
actions to reduce air travel delays and allow for new flights into and out of
the New York region.
Starting as early as March 15, we will begin to cap the number of flights that
can operate in a given hour at both JFK and Newark airports. These hourly limits
will actually cut delays by spreading out flight schedules based on the actual
capacity of the airports.
And they will allow airlines to run as many as 50 more flights per day then they
were able to operate last year.
That means Buffalo area fliers could have even more flight options to get to New
York City in the future.
But while we’ve acted to reduce air travel delays in the short term—and despite
the efforts of leaders like Congressman Reynolds—Congress’ failure to act on FAA
reauthorization has put long-term solutions in jeopardy.
Over a year ago, we sent a proposal to Congress to dramatically expand air
traffic capacity to handle today’s passengers and those we know are coming in
the future.
Our proposal overhauls the nation’s air traffic control system, modernizes how
we pay for airports, and uses new technology to increase both capacity and
safety.
But because Congress has failed to pass full year authorization for the grant
program that supports airport expansion and runway safety projects, this airport
is facing a 25 per cent cut in funding. That means the airport will have to
shoulder a greater share of the fiscal burden of their planned de-icing project,
and will have a more difficult time financing other vital initiatives.
The good news is that Congressman Reynolds is working with Congressional leaders
to spur action.
I’m not willing to leave safety at this airport out in the cold, and neither is
he.
And the bottom line is we’re working so that the best wings in Buffalo can be
found at the airport.
Thank you. I will be happy to answer any questions.
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Briefing
Room
