Press Release

For Immediate Release
27 August 2008

ACTE CLAIMS FAA COMPUTER GLITCH IS SYMPTOMATIC OF BIGGER PROBLEMS

Alexandria, Va --

While a computer glitch at a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) center near Atlanta yesterday was not determined to be a threat to airline passenger safety, it is yet another symptom of the ailing infrastructure supporting the nation’s airways, according to Susan Gurley, Executive Director of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE). “If nothing else, it revealed another potential weakness of the system, capable of tying the country’s transportation network in knots,” she said.

The malfunction in the system affected the processing of flight plans, which almost immediately overloaded another FAA facility in Salt Lake City. The result for hundreds of thousands of business travelers was a delay of up to 90 minutes or longer and, consequently, a possible loss in business revenue.

“Business travelers have grown accustomed to delays,” said Gurley. “But they expect them from weather, the occasional mechanical problem, or congestion. The fact that a system like this can fail, and be supported by limited back-up, suggests there is considerable room for improvement."

Gurley pointed out that the trouble with a system failure of this nature is that it begins to trigger other side effects. “With airline cutbacks in the number of flights to some cities, missing a connection can mean spending an extra night on the road. Plus you have aircrews who are reaching their maximum hours for flight, and might not be able to fly after a 90-minute delay,” she added.

ACTE believes that by itself, yesterday’s incident simply represented a major inconvenience for travelers. But coupling this computer glitch with previous FAA communications failures and radar outages, it becomes obvious that the FAA’s electronic infrastructure is overtaxed and wearing out.

“ACTE has warned repeatedly that this system, and all other components of the air traffic control system (ATC), need to be assigned a much higher priority for replacement,” said Gurley. "The most pressing need is for the continued guarantee of passenger safety. But there are commercial considerations here as well. A new air traffic control system would enable planes to fly more direct routes, using less gas and generating less congestion, benefitting both passengers and airlines alike.”

ACTE issued a warning in October 2007 that the economic contribution of the airlines and business travel was so significant, that FAA infrastructure replacement should simply be funded from the general tax fund as opposed to user fees and facility charges.

Both U.S. presidential candidates weighed in on the FAA incident yesterday.

Commented Senator Barack Obama in part, “This incident is yet another reminder of how dependent air travel in this country is on an antiquated air-traffic control system. Airline passengers are sick and tired of delays and cancellations. It's time we overhauled the system.”

Senator John McCain noted, “The news that the Federal Aviation Administration has experienced a communications failure that has delayed flights across the eastern United States … once again highlights the need to reform and repair a broken system. … unless action is taken now, the breakdowns of today will become all too common in the future."

ABOUT ACTE:
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel industry through its international advocacy efforts, executive level educational programs, and independent industry research. ACTE's membership consists of senior travel industry executives from 82 countries representing the €200 billion business travel industry. With the support of sponsors from every major segment of the business travel industry, ACTE develops and delivers educational programs in key business centers throughout the world. ACTE has offices in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to www.acte.org.

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For more information, contact:
Jack Riepe
U.S. Communications Director
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
t: 610-719-8396
c: 610-256-0124
e: [email protected]

 

 

For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com