Commercial aviation organization Airlines for America (A4A) hosted its sixth annual Commercial Aviation Industry Summit on Sept. 12 in Washington, D.C.
This year’s summit celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Airline Deregulation Act, highlighting the law’s positive effects on innovation and competition and how consumers have benefited.
“This year’s Commercial Aviation Industry Summit was the ideal forum to highlight the huge strides airlines have made since the passage of the Airline Deregulation Act,” A4A President and CEO Nick Calio said. “Today, Americans are taking to the skies in record numbers, on new routes and to thousands of destinations around the world, thanks to deregulation. As our industry approaches this historic milestone, we celebrate the increased accessibility for all passengers and look forward to the future of air travel.”
Elaine Chao, U.S. Department of Transportation secretary, was the headline speaker. She spoke about the opportunities created by airline deregulation as well as the efforts to embrace the advancements that continue the progress. Chao also announced $586 million in new airport infrastructure grant funding for airports across the country.
Other summit discussions included how the creation of the act, deregulatory policies have helped shape the airline industry, how passenger and cargo airlines embrace technology to meet evolving consumer expectations and changing market demands, and how effective policies can lead to a stronger industry that connects communities, builds businesses, and supports quality jobs.
“With our success, what you’ll continue to see is improvements not just in the in-flight product but in all aspects of our service,” American Airlines Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said about the progress of the airline industry. “We’re a commercial enterprise that connects people.”