HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-22 13-145 RESOLVECOUNCIL ACTION
Item No. 13-145
Date: April 22, 2013
Item/Subject: Resolve, Supporting the position to oppose any divestiture of flight slots at Washington
Reagan National Airport (DCA) through the pending merger of USAirways and American Airlines.
Responsible Department:
Commentary: On February 14, 2013, American Airlines and US Airways announced that the two
carriers will combine to create the new American Airlines. The new American Airlines will create a
stronger and more competitive carrier, and American is committed to contiuning its nonstop service
between Reagan National Airport in Washington to small and medium sized communities currently
served. If the Justice Department should force this new airline to reduce their routes by divesting flight
slots , other carriers will take over these routes and most likely will transfer the routes to serve larger
cities. As a result Bangor will lose the DCA route.
The current nonstop flights from BGR have shown the ability to capture passengers between northern
Maine and Washington, DC region, creating a significant economic impact both in Maine and
Washington, DC. Approximately 40% of the passengers originate in Bangor, meaning 60% of the
passengers are coming to Maine to conduct business and/or to contribute to the tourism economy of the
Bangor Region and northern Maine. For Q2 and Q3 2012 there were a total of 31,006 passengers on the
BGR-DCA flights, of which approximately 35% were traveling specifically between Bangor and
Washington, DC. As of YE Q3 2012, USAirways carried approximately 49% of all Bangor passengers,
illustrating that they are an invaluable asset to the Bangor community. These flights are critical to the
overall health and growth of the Maine economy.
This Resolve will support the position to oppose any divestiture of flight slots at Washington Reagan
National Airport (DCA) through the merger of USA rways and American Airlines. A copy of this Reslove
will be sent to members of the State of Maine Congressional Delegation and to the U.S. Departments of
Justice and Transportation.
Manager's Comments:
Assodated Information: Resolve
Budget Approval:
Legal Approval:
Tony Caruso
anent Head
Finance Director
Introduced for
Passage
First Reading
Referral
Page —1— of _1_
13-145
APRIL 22, 2013
Assigned To Councilor Longo
CITY OF BANGOR
(TITLE.) Resolve, Supporting the position to oppose any divestiture of flight slots at Washington Reagan
National Airport (DCA) through the pending merger of USAirways and American Airlines.
WHEREAS, the City of Bangor, Maine is the owner of an airport located in Bangor, County of Penobscot, State
of Maine, commonly known as Bangor International Airport; and
WHEREAS, On February 14, 2013, American Airlines and US Airways announced that the two carriers will
combine to create the new American Airlines; and
WHEREAS, The new American Airlines will creat a stronger and more competitive carrier, and American is
committed to contiuning its nonstop service between Reagan National Airport in Washington to small and
medium sized communities currently served; and
WHEREAS, If the Justice Department should force this new airline to reduce their routes by divesting flight
slots , other carriers will take over these routes and most likely will transfer the routes to serve larger cities,
and as a result Bangor will lose the DCA route; and
WHEREAS, The current nonstop flights from BGR have shown the ability to capture passengers between
northern Maine and Washington, DC region, creating a significant economic impact both in Maine and
Washington, DC; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 40% of the passengers originate in Bangor, meaning 60% of the passengers are
coming to Maine to conduct business and/or to contribute to the tourism economy of the Bangor Region and
northern Maine; and
WHEREAS, For Q2 and Q3 2012 there were a total of 31,006 passengers on the BGR-DCA flights, of which
approximately 35% were traveling specifically between Bangor and Washington, DC; and
WHEREAS, As of YE Q3 2012, USAirways carried approximately 49% of all Bangor passengers, illustrating that
they are an invaluable asset to the Bangor community; and
WHEREAS, These flights are critical to the overall health and growth of the Maine economy.
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR:
BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the City of Bangor calls upon the U.S. Department of Justice to support the merger
of USAirways and American Airlines without any flight slot divestitures and, further, encourages the Bangor
Region business community to also support this position for the greater benefit of the economic health of this
Greater Bangor Region.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT a copy of this Resolve shall be sent to the members of the State
of Maine Congressional delegation and to the U.S. Departments of Justice and Transportation.
IN CITY COUNCIL
April 22, 2013
Motion made and seconded for Passage
Pa se
CITY CLERK