FAA administrator pledges not to privatize air traffic operations

The Federal Aviation Administration will not privatize its air traffic controller operations, Administrator Marion Blakey said Tuesday.

"We have no interest, no plans and no intention that there is going to be any outsourcing of the air traffic control system," Blakey said during a press briefing.

Last week, a bipartisan group of senators sent Blakey a letter requesting the agency impose a one-year moratorium on any private contracting of air traffic control towers. Controversy over privatization has prevented a $60 billion FAA reauthorization bill from moving forward, and the letter was intended as a way to break the stalemate.

Late Monday, Blakey sent the senators a letter promising not to pursue privatization. "Let me be clear: the administration has no plans to privatize the nation's air traffic control system," she wrote.

Blakey said the FAA would not contract out any air traffic functions for the current fiscal year if the reauthorization bill passes in its current form. She added that the agency would not convert any of its "visual flight rule towers" to contract towers during that time period as well.

According to Blakey, many people have misconceptions about the FAA's plans with respect to competitive sourcing, which she hopes to clarify at future congressional hearings.

"I hope that my assurances to the committee will allow us to move forward on this important piece of legislation," Blakey said.