FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2025
Washington, D.C. – As commercial aviation rebounds in the wake of COVID-19 and high-profile incidents, a new report from the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced preventive maintenance, infrastructure investment, and thoughtful public policy to restore consumer confidence and support long-term industry resilience.
Titled Building on Safe Air Travel, the report examines how the foundational pillars of air travel – safety, reliability, and convenience – are under pressure due to aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, and rising passenger demand. While aviation remains the safest mode of transport, Aii’s research finds that persistent delays, outdated systems, and underinvestment in maintenance increasingly threaten public trust and economic stability.
“Americans rely on air travel for business, family, and freedom of movement,” said Benjamin Dierker, Executive Director of Aii and co-author of the report. “Despite the industry’s strong safety record, growing delays and disruptions expose weaknesses in the system that require both private sector innovation and strategic policy action.”
The report outlines the compounding costs of airline delays – citing that one in five U.S. flights departs late – and identifies key drivers such as outdated air traffic control technology, maintenance bottlenecks, and airport capacity constraints. It also evaluates policy options, including compensation models like the European Union’s EC261 regulation and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) ongoing efforts to strengthen passenger rights through rulemaking.
“The future of air travel hinges on our ability to learn from the successes and shortcomings of international models and apply American ingenuity to create a smarter, more effective system,” said Owen Rogers, Aii Public Policy Associate and co-author.
Key Considerations for Policymakers
- To promote timely service and strengthen public trust, the report identifies several considerations for future policymaking:
- Define clear eligibility criteria for delay-related compensation, protecting both consumers and airlines through objective standards.
- Offer optional participation in compensation programs at the point of ticket purchase.
- Establish dedicated trust accounts for penalties, ensuring funds benefit affected passengers directly.
- Incentivize performance improvements, such as reduced delay rates, through targeted regulatory relief.
These measures, Aii argues, can align public and private interests to reduce delays, protect travelers, and ensure continued economic benefits from a strong aviation sector.
As the DOT continues evaluating its Airline Passenger Rights rulemaking proposal, Aii’s report offers timely, data-driven analysis to inform balanced, forward-looking policy decisions.
Read the full report at Aii.org or here:
Building on Safe Air Travel: The importance of infrastructure and equipment readiness and recognizing the relationship between consumer confidence and economic health
https://www.aii.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Building-on-Safe-Air-Travel.pdf
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About Aii:
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) is an independent, national research and educational organization working to advance innovation across industry and public policy. The only nation wide public policy think tank dedicated to infrastructure, Aii explores the intersection of economics, law, and public policy in the areas of climate, damage prevention, eminent domain, energy, infrastructure, innovation, technology, and transportation.