In addition to adequate funding for improvements in the ATC system, the FAA requires the funding and resources to perform other services such as certification of airmen and aircraft and research and development. The Regional Airline Association is participating in this and other discussions on FAA funding because of the important role that regional airlines perform throughout the United States. Regional airlines serve nearly 500 airports in the 48 contiguous states. Many of these airports are served by large air carriers but 300 of the 500 airports are served exclusively by regional airlines. With three fifths of U.S. communities dependent on regional airlines for access to larger cities and hubs and into the national air transportation system, it is important that we identify a funding mechanism for the FAA to meet the expectations of travelers going to and from these communities.
Regional aviation is, by definition, short haul.
The average trip length for passengers on regional airlines is 230 miles. This short haul characteristic results in the aircraft in the regional fleet making, on average, twice as many daily takeoffs and landings per aircraft than the larger long haul aircraft operated by the major carriers. Most aircraft in regional airline service make eight to ten takeoffs and landings every day. This both contributes to the demand on the air traffic control system and requires a high level of efficiency on the part of the air traffic control system in order to manage this demand. This daily, multiple flight operation is not likely to experience any fundamental changes as most regional airlines coordinate their schedules with major airline partners to provide efficient connections for travelers at large cities and connecting hubs.