"Ending the gridlock at O'Hare is vital to Iowa and the nation's travelers," Grassley said. "The airport functions as a nerve center for airline travel and when O'Hare sneezes the rest of the country gets the flu. I hear time and again from Iowans who avoid connecting flights through O'Hare because of past nightmare experiences. Modernizing this airport will help prevent future congestion problems and delays that have plagued air travelers for far too long."
Grassley testified before the Senate Commerce Committee today on behalf of legislation he introduced with Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois. The legislation cements an agreement arrived at by Illinois Governor George Ryan and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to modernize and expand O'Hare. The agreement calls for the redesign and addition of runways at O'Hare to relieve congestion of air traffic in and out of the airport.
In addition to O'Hare expansion, Grassley's bill includes noise limitations and soundproofing programs to maintain the quality of life for residents living near the airport and improves ground infrastructure to address traffic congestion. The legislation also authorizes construction for a south suburban airport at Peotone and continues operations at Meigs Field, a general aviation airport in Chicago.
"This plan will make air travel swifter, more efficient, and less frustrating," Grassley said. It will be easier and more pleasant for air travelers to come to Iowa. More on-time flights will be a great boon for the business traveler for whom time is money."
Grassley also said modernization of O'Hare will make the airport safer. The new runway configuration will eliminate dangerous cross-runways and provide for more parallel runways. It also will allow for the use of more modern electronic instrumentation.
"All of us are more focused on air safety after the events of September 11. Air travel security means more than screening passengers and baggage. It means safe take-offs and landings. The new runway configuration will be much safer than it is now," Grassley said.
The plan is overwhelmingly supported by many groups including the Air Line Pilots Association, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, National Air Transportation Association and General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
Grassley's hearing statement follows:
O'Hare International Airport is a key national and international hub. Millions of travelers in Iowa and across the country depend on the airport for business and family travel. In 2001, it was the world's busiest airport. It was also one of the worst commercial airports for delays, and it was the worst airport in the nation in terms of cancellations. These delays and cancellations impact the whole nation. When O'Hare sneezes the rest of the country gets the flu.
Modernization of O'Hare is important to the economy of Iowa, as well as the nation. The economic vitality of Iowa's communities is directly linked to their access to proper commercial air service. The success of commercial air service throughout Iowa depends in a large part on the efficient operations at O'Hare. I'm committed to enhancing air service to Iowa. That is why I am committed to the modernization of O'Hare.
This legislation will help prevent future congestion problems and the delays that have for too long plagued air travelers. It will make air travel swifter, more efficient, and less frustrating. It will be easier and more pleasant for air travelers. More on-time flights will be a great boon for the business traveler for whom time is money.
Modernization of O'Hare, based on the agreement of the Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago, will make O'Hare a safer airport. All of us are more focused on air safety after September 11. Air travel security means more than screening passengers and baggage. It means safe take-offs and landings. The current runway configuration at O'Hare is not as safe as it could be. The new runway configuration will be much safer by providing for more parallel runways, eliminating dangerous cross-runways. It will also allow for the use of more modern electronic instrumentation by all concerned.
I commend the Governor and the Mayor for coming together and working out an acceptable plan. I also commend Senator Durbin who has worked diligently on resolving many of the outstanding concerns regarding this issue. When I began pressing for a solution to the O'Hare problem last spring, I knew it would not be an easy process for any of us. But it has been a very successful process. It has produced a compromise of which we are all very proud. It is important to note that the solution has overwhelming support, specifically from the airlines, airline pilots, and air traffic controllers.
Congress must now do its part to improve air transportation in the United States and insure the success of this hard work. That means immediate passage of the Durbin-Grassley legislation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make this happen.