DOT Secretary Ray LaHood pledged to convene a national panel to develop a plan to restore the U.S. airline industry to financial health. The panel will produce a "roadmap" to recovery within the next year, he said.
LaHood made the announcement at a Nov. 12 media briefing following an invitation-only Future of U.S. Aviation forum that was attended by FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, representatives from airports, airlines, labor and consumer groups and aviation analysts.
During the all-day meeting, which was attended by AAAE Executive Committee members Krys Bart, A.A.E., Bruce Carter, A.A.E., and Jim Elwood, A.A.E., and AAAE President Charles Barclay, numerous issues affecting the nation's aviation system were debated. Among the topics highlighted were FAA reauthorization, PFCs, NextGen, environmental issues, oil speculation, airline financial stability and international airline alliances.
Forum attendees heard from three panels of experts. The first panel session was "State of the Industry" and featured Rosemarie Andolino, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation and a member of AAAE's Policy Review Committee; Bryan Bedford, CEO of Republic Airways; and Peter McDonald, executive vice president of United. Other panel members were Bill McGee from the Consumers Union, as well as aviation analysts Daniel MacKenzie and Jim Lardner.
The second panel, "Events Shaping the Future of the Industry," included Mark Reis, director of Seattle-Tacoma International; Ben Baldanza, CEO of Spirit Airlines; Bob Lekites, president of UPS Airlines; aviation analyst Jamie Baker of LP Morgan; and Mike Bair, vice president of business strategy and marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
The final panel, "Areas for Future Work," featured Gina Marie Lindsey, C.M., executive director of Los Angeles World Airports; Dan Wolf, president of Cape Air; Bella Goren, senior vice president customer relationship marketing and reservations of American; Pete Bunce, president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association; and Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Business Travelers Coalition.
