In what it calls the “wake of the cancellation of more than 1,000 flights and growing dismay among travelers,†a prominent travel group is asking the three remaining US presidential candidates to outline their proposals for improvement.
“On behalf of millions of frustrated travelers and an increasingly concerned private sector, TIA (Travel Industry Association) pledged to lead a broader discussion on the need for comprehensive reforms and detail the profound consequences of inaction,†said the group.
“The entire travel community – including hotels, rental cars, destinations, theme parks and, most importantly, travelers – is dependent on a safe, secure and efficient air travel system,†said Roger Dow, President and CEO of the Travel Industry Association, adding:
“With respect to efficiency, today’s air travel system is broken. We pledge to travelers that we will work with them to break the logjam in Washington and make meaningful reforms to the air travel process.â€
TIA called on Senators Clinton, McCain and Obama to:
- Issue comprehensive plans by Memorial Day to fix major elements of the air travel system during their term in office;
- Demonstrate on the campaign trail an understanding of the challenges that millions of American travelers are confronting each and every day;
- Ensure that an improved transportation infrastructure is a major element of their party platform to be adopted at this summer’s conventions; and
- Respond to a brief questionnaire that will enable voters to determine which candidate is the greatest champion of the traveler.
“Travelers are voters – and approximately two million take to the skies each day,†said Mr Dow. “They are looking for a candidate that champions the needs of travelers and promises to build a travel infrastructure that our country can be proud of.â€
Report by David Wilkening
