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1999 SESSION

990809196
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 568
Offered January 19, 1999
Expressing the sense of the Virginia General Assembly in support of the retention of the 1,250-mile perimeter rule at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
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Patrons-- Darner, Almand, Brink, Keating, Moran, Parrish, Plum and Scott; Senators: Gartlan, Howell, Mims, Ticer and Whipple
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the air transportation needs of the metropolitan Washington region are addressed through a finely balanced, comprehensive regional airport plan; and

WHEREAS, under that plan, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport each perform a separate and unique function in that regional airport plan; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport functions as the local and regional airport, serving cities within a 1,250-mile radius; and

WHEREAS, Washington Dulles International Airport serves as the national and international airport; and

WHEREAS, significant local decisions about airport investment and development plans have been based on this locally and federally endorsed balance of traffic; and

WHEREAS, the allocation of roles to each airport under the plan has stimulated the growth and development of Washington Dulles International Airport; and

WHEREAS, the development of Washington Dulles International Airport has improved the quality of regional, domestic, and international air transportation for all citizens of the region; and

WHEREAS, the improvement in air transportation alternatives has brought to local passengers the benefits of increased competition in the form of competitive fares and a broad array of new service options between these two airports; and

WHEREAS, the region has also benefited from investments by many new firms in Northern Virginia that have located to this area because of the presence of a major international airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and the strength and continued viability of competitive air service offerings at both Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; and

WHEREAS, the increased business activity has produced substantial economic benefits for the region; and

WHEREAS, a linchpin of this balanced regional air transportation system is the rule at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport limiting flights to 1,250 miles from the airport; and

WHEREAS, changes to the perimeter rule would threaten air service to smaller communities within the perimeter than now enjoy convenient access to Northern Virginia by air; and

WHEREAS, this perimeter rule was enacted as Section 6012 of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Act of 1986; and

WHEREAS, legislation is being considered in the United States Congress that would provide for exemptions from the perimeter rule; and

WHEREAS, any change in the current perimeter rule would threaten the benefits now enjoyed by citizens of the region as a result of the balance of services among the regional airports; and

WHEREAS, maintaining the perimeter rule is critical to the continued effectiveness of the balanced regional air transportation plan; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly oppose any relaxation of, exemption from, or amendment to Section 6012 of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Act of 1986 or the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House transmit copies of this resolution to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation in order that they may be apprised of the sense of the Virginia General Assembly in this matter.