Maine senators decry air service Improved access, safety at issue

WASHINGTON – Air service for Maine remains in the cross hairs of both Maine senators.

Sen. Olympia Snowe is calling for a probe of the safety and passenger satisfaction elements of the aviation industry and Sen. Susan Collins is pressing the Federal Aviation Administration to make sure air service to Maine is maintained.

Snowe said she is troubled by a report by the inspector general at the U.S. Department of Transportation that shows travel delays and passenger dissatisfaction at an all-time high.

“I am particularly concerned about the future of America’s air traffic control system, because flight delays are literally out of control, contributing to consumer backlash,” Snowe said.

“Consumer confidence has hit an all-time low.” While traffic congestion is generally the problem within the air system, in Maine the problem is the skies are becoming too infrequently flown by scheduled air carriers.

Collins earlier this month pushed the FAA to make sure a realignment of travel slots in and out of New York’s LaGuardia airport are not manipulated in a manner that slices Delta service to Maine.

A December lottery that trimmed 140 flights cost Delta about 80 percent of its landing rights, and it chose to chop off four New York-to-Portland flights.

“Maintaining consistent air service is important not only to travelers but to communities trying to attract business and a strong economic base,” Collins said.

“I have heard from many Mainers concerned about the possibility of a decrease in the number of flights” from LaGuardia to Portland.

Some of the slots are going to be used by a new carrier, Legend Airlines, but until that carrier ramps up Delta has promised to keep flying to Maine, Collins said. A final decision is in the hands of the FAA.

In reviewing the nomination of Norman Y. Mineta, President Bush’s pick to become the new secretary of transportation, Snowe said there was no higher priority than making sure that small and medium-size communities continue to have air service.

“Adequate, reliable air service to our nation’s rural areas is not simply a luxury,” Snowe said.

“It’s an imperative.” Snowe, a member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, said the government has a responsibility to encourage a regional strategy.