HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-09-13 99-310 RESOLVECOUNCILACTION
Item No.99-3 0
Date: September 1g, time
mm/Subject:Resolve, Calling Upon the Members of Me Maine Congma al Delegationto
Support Legislative Initiatives Designed to Promote Competition In Me Air Service Industry and
to Improve Service to smaller Communities and Rural Meas.
Reasonable Department; Airport
Commentary:
Several weeks ago, Mestaff of Bangor International Airport cocadnated a Couird WaNaM1op to review issues
surrounding domestic air service W Bangor and our regi on ofthe State. At that time, presentations were
made mw:rirg a variety Of Issues. Among those were steps required W he tel i at the national level M
Increase competiton in Me airline Industry, remove harnmrs m adeauare or Improved service at the nabobs
smaller air ports, and provide incentives, where appmprlate, to Insure the rural areas restive the level and
quality of air service necessary to support economic groats and prospenty.
Wer me ma few years, we have seen a number of changes in air service M and hen sector which harm
raised significant concerns among our Citizens and within be local ant regional business community. It Is also
clear that the quality and level 0 domestic air service m Bangor is highly related] m national fuss at work
within the airline Industry and t0 current federal programs and polides. Among Me barriers we fam to
Improved service are: certain noncompe0towe produces certainly used by some major air tamers; slat
Ibnlmnons at certain busy hub airports which restrict access Iran smaller markets such as Banger; and °snipe
clauses" In contracts between certain national carriers and their unbm which effeci restrict the
intro bn Ofad Wonalaglonaljetservice. These baniersdirectly Influenceable level and quality Of
domestic air service mumble at Bangor IMerneional Airport
Over MIs same period], we have waked] closely with the More Congressmen Delegation On these and ether
cents affecting Bangor International and our community. We have found] the delegation m he universally
supportive of our goals and objedees, and we believe Cut such support will continue. At the same timeA
has become more obvious Mat a comprehensive federal policy ant approach is necessary If small airports and
real immunities are W receive the demand air service that they require.
The attached] resolve has been developed in an effort M ideegy what we believe are Me minimum and
iman d fie Reps which must as mken M develop, adopt, and implement a sound polity to promote necessary
Command air service for communifia such as Bangor. It calk upon our delegation to support these programs
and sunniness with in the content of a canpre enswa federal approach to has service, and lays out an ow;all
approach t0 be pursued by the City o/ Bangor in concert with Our elected federal representeiaes.
I would request your approval of this resolve.
Department flead
Manager's Comments: This has been reviewed] and IS recommended by Me Airport Committee. 1 would
add] my strong support to this effort
��(dflNi( LC[iry/Midatna�i9er/.lL_
Allociated Information: Resolve
Budget Approval:
Fna "rector
Legal Approval:
C sol amr
Introludea far
X Postage
_ First Reading page_ of
Renewal
danigued to Councilor Tyler September 13, 1999
CITY OF BANGOR
(fITLE.) Resolve, Callina Upon the Members of the Ma ne Congressional Delegation u rc
Legislative Initiatives Desioned W Promote Comoettion in the Air Service Industry and to
Improve Service to Smaller Communities and Rural Areas
WHEREAS, adequate domestic air service is assembler for the economic well being of the Ory of
Bangor and the entire Northern, Central, and Eastem Maine region; and
WHEREAS, recent trends in domestic; air transportation have resulted in a reduction of
essential air service to smaller communities and more rural areas; and
I
WHEREAS, while deregulation of the airline industry has provided positive benefits to
segments of the traveling public, the industry continues to operate in a manner which restricts
competition in certain ways and limits the amount and quality of air service provided to certain
markets; and
WHEREAS, the effect of recent changes in the airline Industry has resulted in a reduction in
the quality of domestic air service Orovided to Bangor and our region and has created certain
hardships for our residents and businesses;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE QTY COUNCIL OF THE CRY OF BANGOR,
THAT:
We call upon the Maine Congressional Delegation to work closely with the Bangor City Council
and City Staff to advance legislative Initiatives designed to promote competition In the air
service industry and to improve service to smaller United States airports. We further oil upon
the Congressional Delegation to support the following proposals and Inifiadves as necessary to
meet essential domestic air service requirements and to expediter the needed Improvements to
air services for the Bangor region:
Promulgation of polities by the United States Department of Transportation regarding the
elimination of unfair competitive practices in the airline industry.
Monitoring of the aidine industry's voluntary 12 point reform plan known as the "Passenger Bill
of Rights.
Formation of a Commission to study the effect of airline deregulation on rural communities
Elimination of"Slot Rules" that limit the access to major aidine hubs from smaller
communities.
Support for Air Service Restoration and Community Air Service Development Act Funding to
assist smaller communities in attracting new or eManded air service.
provision of purchase incentives to provide assistance for the purchase of jet aircraft to serve
small and underserved communibes.
Exerting influence on the major national airlines and Meir respective pilot unions to negotiate,
as soon as possible, mutually agreeable adjustments to Meir so-called "Scope Clauses" which
will benefit smaller airports by allowing a more rapid Introduction of regional jet service.
Further, we call upon the Congressional Delegation to work diligently with Meir peers in
elective office to develop, approve, and implement comprehensive federal programs and
policies, based upon those outlined above, to Insure that small communities and rural areas
receive the level and quality of domestic air service necessary to provide for their continuing
economic growth and prospertity.
IN CITY WO IL
September 13. 1999
Motion for Passage Its"
and Seconded
99-310
ORDER
Title, Callimg Upon CLe Membera of the
Mine Congressional Delegation to
Support Leginlative Iuitiativec D, -
signed to Promote Competition in the
Air Seraice[t
to Ionrove
Service toSmaller 9 nitiea dna
Rural ereRa -
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