Press Releases

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents the Northern Virginia suburbs of the nation’s capital, issued the following statement today:

“Killing DCA’s perimeter slot rule would seriously worsen aircraft noise in the National Capital region, a particularly unfortunate development so soon after the actions we announced with the FAA and regional leaders earlier this week to reduce helicopter noise. It would also increase congestion and delays, and cut service to airports in other cities with smaller markets. And with the opening of expanded service to Dulles on Metro’s Silver Line, such a change makes even less sense than it did when Congress previously rejected this idea.

“National Airport was never intended to be a long-haul airport, which is why Dulles Airport occupies 11,830 acres while National is just 860 acres. The dual airport system was designed with this is mind to accommodate limited land and runways at National. Our priority should by the safety and efficiency of flights, not the personal convenience of a comparatively small number of powerful and well-connected individuals.”

Beyer worked with regional colleagues to fight off previous attempts to weaken DCA’s perimeter and slot rules. He hosted a press conference with federal and local leaders to announce new measures to lessen helicopter noise in Northern Virginia and across the DC region earlier this week.