In April of this year I introduced legislation (House Bill 1182) which would bring a regional approach to planning and operations among the area’s airport systems by creating the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Airport Authority. The authority would coordinate the operations and development of Philadelphia International Airport and Lehigh Valley International Airport (LVIA) and related general aviation facilities. The authority also would be required to enter into cooperative agreements with neighboring state authorities in New Jersey and Delaware, and coordinate planning and investment with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority and Amtrak. So far, this legislation has received bipartisan support from legislators in more than half a dozen counties.

(You can read the bill here under “Bill Information” - select the 2007-2008 Session and enter “HB1182”)

Regional control offers the best hope for a revitalized, economically vibrant LVIA. By freeing up more gates for international travelers the authority also gives Philadelphia the best opportunity to become an international hub with critical routes, including direct flights to China.

While other large cities like Boston, New York, Chicago, and Washington are served by multiple airports, Philadelphia International is the only commercial airport serving a metropolitan region of more than 8 million people. Philadelphia International had over 530,000 aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings) and 31 million passengers in 2005 – more than any other airport in the northeast corridor, and at or above its capacity. Demand at Philadelphia International is only expected to increase – over 700,000 operations per year by 2020. No matter how much Philadelphia International is expanded or improved, the airport will continue to operate at its saturation point.

At the same time, regional airports like Lehigh Valley are dramatically underused and have ample capacity – and desire – for increased airline business. Philadelphia International’s continued overuse equals LVIA’s continued underuse. LVIA recently lost its service to Pittsburgh and currently LVIA operates nonstop flights to only 11 destinations. More than half of all Lehigh Valley residents rely on airports other than LVIA for air travel. An estimated 25 to 30 percent leave the Lehigh Valley and travel to Philadelphia International, with another 25 to 30 percent traveling to New York to fly. This concentration of commuter traffic in Philadelphia starves LVIA and at the same time ties up Philadelphia gates which could otherwise be devoted to international flights such as the proposed direct route to China.

To fix this problem we must address development, growth, and traffic needs on a regional basis, instead of each airport fending for itself. This approach has worked in other states, and it can work in Pennsylvania. In Massachusetts the Port Authority monitors air service levels at more than half a dozen airports. It continually analyzes airport development, how to improve and distribute service, and how the region as a whole can market itself to air carriers.

(See how Massachusetts has succeeded with this model )

The New York Port Authority follows a similar approach and recently purchased Stewart Airport in Newburgh in order to expand the authority’s regional capacity.

A regional approach does not mean an end to a local role in airport management. I understand that a regional solution will only work if everyone has a voice in the process. My proposal would fairly and proportionately distribute representation on the authority’s board among the southeastern counties.

Achieving the goal of managing our air traffic needs is a challenging task. If we do not start following the example set by other regions, we will be unprepared for the increase in air travel in the years ahead and left out of the economic benefits that air travel will create. House Bill 1182 will make our region a leader in airport management and a key part of the world economy.