A summary of the proposed changes to the MWAA lease agreement reviewed by The Washington Post states that there would be a $1 million annual fee for airlines that choose to use National’s new slots. There is. That money could be invested in Dulles, according to the documents.
“United Airlines and the MWAA appear to be colluding to undermine the possibility of Congress changing the rules even before the bill is enacted,” Cruz wrote in a letter to MWAA CEO Jack Potter. Stated.
Mr. Cruz’s home state has long sought to expand access to National and asked officials to commit not to impose new fees. He also requested records of interactions between authorities and a coalition formed to campaign against new flights by United and National Airlines.
The MWAA said it had received the letter and would “respond appropriately.” United declined to comment.
The question of whether to add National Airlines flights has been the subject of intense lobbying this year as Congress considers sweeping legislation that would set the direction of the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five years. Mr. Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) struck a deal to add four flights in June, according to people familiar with the agreement at the time. The House passed a version of the FAA bill without National’s changes.
Delta and its partners are pushing for up to 28 additional National Airlines flights each day, saying it would allow travelers from more parts of the country to use the airport and provide convenient access to the nation’s capital. . A new group backed by United Airlines, the Coalition to Save America’s Regional Airports, argues that the change will result in fewer flights from smaller areas.
Mr. Cruz told Mr. Potter in a letter that while United is free to advocate for itself, the MWAA is authorized by Congress to serve the interests of both airports.
“The MWAA is not, and should not be, a corporate lobbyist for United Airlines,” Cruz wrote.
Since the idea of adding airmail was proposed in April, dueling coalitions have been sorting out claims and counterarguments. Supporters say this would result in cheaper airfares and free Dulles from having to be protected by the regulations of its older sister airport. But opponents say National Airlines is already at capacity, pointing to an FAA analysis that concluded more flights would mean more delays.
The last use and lease agreement between the airport authority and United Airlines was signed in 2016 and is scheduled to expire next year. As part of the agreement, the Virginia General Assembly agreed to contribute $50 million to United to maintain its Dulles location. United Airlines, along with all of Dulles’ airlines, approved the deal.
The agreement also allowed MWAA to split revenue between the two airports. At the time, Dulles was struggling, and additional funding from the state allowed MWAA to reduce costs for airlines operating from Dulles.