US: Trump air traffic control proposal draws mixed reviews

President Donald Trump's proposal to privatise US air traffic control won the backing of major US airlines, but drew criticism from other groups concerned smaller airlines and private companies would lose airport access. Privatization advocates argue that spinning off air traffic control from the FAA would increase efficiency and reduce costs, in part by avoiding the government procurement process. Opponents say the US system, which handles 50,000 flights a day, is so large that privatization would not cut costs, drive up ticket costs and potentially create national security risks. There also are concerns airlines would dominate the private-company board and limit access to airports by business jets. Airlines for America, the industry trade organization representing American Airlines, United Continental, Southwest and others, praised the proposal. "This is a bold step that will lead to the governance and funding reforms needed to move our air traffic control infrastructure into the 21st century," said the group's CEO Nicholas Calio. National Business Aviation Association CEO Ed Bolen said the group strongly opposes the proposal, arguing airlines would essentially take run the board. "Small and mid-size towns that rely on access to general aviation for everything from civil services, to emergency support, to business access and more, could have their access to airports and airspace threatened," Bolen said. The FAA said in a statement that it welcomes a discussion about the best way to deliver and modernize air traffic services.<br/>