I am committed to working with members of this Committee to resolve any differences and make any improvements on the bill. The bill would prohibit the hoarding of slots, gates, and other facilities at the 35 largest airports, to ensure that carriers have access if needed to increase competition. The substitute bill made changes to address the concerns that this bill might affect service to smaller communities. It ensures that slots, gates, and other assets that are used by regional airlines will not have to be relinquished to satisfy the needs of competitive access, whether or not a merger or acquisition is at issue. It also clarifies that Airport Improvement Program grants can go to the building of gates, if the purpose is to enhance competition.
Priority is given to gates that enhance service to small and medium-sized communities.
The substitute also removes the provision giving the Department of Transportation authority to disapprove mergers and acquisitions if they are not in the public interest. We have no intention of increasing access to dominated hubs at the expense of small community air service, McCain said. We will continue to refine theses provisions to protect service that is critical to many smaller communities. The Committee held a hearing on S. 415 on March 13.