Crisis in the sky: The challenges of developing a United States national aviation policy

This dissertation examines the issues militating in favor of a national aviation policy and the obstacles standing in the way of such a policy. In spite of the impact that the nation's air transportation system has on the United States' economy, the U.S. lacks a comprehensive national aviation policy that takes into account the diverse challenges that issues such as the need for the free flow of people and goods, national security, environmental sustainability, and financial stability place upon the nation's air transportation system.;The absence of a comprehensive aviation policy comes at a critical time. The economic activity associated with air transportation accounts for over five percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product, yet congested airports, declining commercial airline service to small cities, and the stresses of enhanced security processes combine to make commercial air travel less and less convenient. In spite of these issues, firms increasingly depend on effective and efficient air transportation to interact with customers and suppliers. The value of being able to travel for face-to-face meetings is reflected in how access to both large and small airports affects job growth, shown in a study of 113 metropolitan statistical areas along the United States east coast. The importance of convenient air travel is seen further in the introduction of air taxi services providing convenient travel to regional and community airports.;Experts in the private and public sectors indicate that a comprehensive national aviation policy must address five broad areas: national interest and international leadership, aviation and economic development, national and international connectivity, energy sustainability and environmental protection, and aviation safety and security. They note, however, that obstacles preventing the development of a national aviation policy include ambiguous national interests, government institutions, financing of the aviation system, and competing industry interests. These obstacles combine to make policymaking difficult in the absence of a national crisis.;After an examination of attempts in the UK and the United States to address aviation issues comprehensively, the final chapter recommends a new process for creating national aviation policy in the United States: a national aviation policy oversight commission.