Bipartisan, bicameral legislation aimed at improving ground transportation into and out of airports across the country was introduced in Congress Thursday.
U.S. Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN) and David Kustoff (R-TN), and U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the Don’t Miss Your Flight Act that would, if passed, use existing federal funding to create incentives to improve surface transportation within five miles of a public airport. The funding would improve access to airports; reduce congestion or rehabilitate roads, rail or transit; and make catching a flight or coming home from the airport easier and faster for Americans, the law makers said.
“Improving access and reducing congestion to our nation’s airports through our next surface transportation reauthorization bill makes good economic sense,” Cohen said. “Our Memphis International Airport, the nation’s busiest cargo airport, is at the confluence of river, rail and highway circuits we call ‘America’s Distribution Center.’ Updates to the ground infrastructure in Memphis and around the country through grants authorized under the Don’t Miss Your Flight Act will modernize and improve the air traveler’s experience.”
Specifically, the legislation would create a discretionary grant program using existing Highway Trust funds for surface transportation projects to make improvements at and within 5 miles of a public airport. Currently, officials said, airports are continuing to grow with enplanements projected to reach nearly 1.4 billion in 2040 and 1.7 billion in 2050. An estimated $19.3 billion is needed to improve access to and from airports over the next five years.
“We’ve all been there—you’re rushing to the airport but then get stuck in traffic outside while worrying that your flight is going to take off without you,” Duckworth said. “Airports like Chicago O’Hare and so many others are building to keep up with the growing passenger demand, but our surface transportation leading into and out of our airports needs to keep pace.”
The bill is endorsed by Air Line Pilots Association, Airports Council International, American Association of Airport Executives, Allied Pilots Association, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, Association of Professional Flight Attendants and Southwest Airlines Pilots Association.