Praise for New Runways

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says the opening of three new runways in Washington D.C., Chicago, and Seattle demonstrates the importance of investing in the nation’s critical transportation infrastructure needs. The new runways are now operational at Chicago’s O’Hare, Washington Dulles International and Seattle-Tacoma Airport. Together, these three runways will be able to handle 330,000 additional aircraft operations a year, according to estimates from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “These runways are the kind of long-term thinking and investment we need to strengthen America’s air traffic system and reduce delays for passengers and freight,” said Carol Hallett, counsel for the U.S. Chamber and former president and CEO of the Air Transport Association. “They are a major step toward reducing airport delays, and boosting productivity.  This will benefit the environment while helping airlines become more financially stable.”