[Natalie Allen, Cnn Anchor:] The federal government is moving to ease gridlock at the nation's airports during the heavy travel season this spring and summer. The administration is announcing a plan to keep air traffic moving during thunderstorms. But weather isn't the only problem. The FAA predicts the skies will become much more crowded over the next 10 years. The number of jetliners will jump by more than 2,000 to about 6,400. We get more on today's plan to reduce flight delays from CNN's Kalin Thomas-Samuel.
[Kalin Thomas-samuel, Cnn Correspondent:] Nowadays, air travel often involves more time on the ground than in the air: You wait to check in, wait at the gate, and even wait on the runway.
[David Swierenga, Air Transport Association:] Delays are the number one problem for the airline industry. When aircraft are delayed, even though it may not be the airlines' fault, our customers tend to focus on us, the airlines.
[Unidentified Female:] I just felt really out of control. You know, you have no control of flights and it's really frustrating.
[Thomas-samuel:] The FAA recently predicted one billion people will be flying by the year 2010. That could mean more planes in the air and more delays. [voice-over]: Delays that could be prevented by the Clinton administration's spring 2000 initiative.
[William J. Clinton, President Of The United States:] First, better communications will let pilots and passengers know promptly whether they can expect a delay measured in minutes or in hours. Second, centralized air traffic decision-making will let us respond better to the really big storms that can stretch the length of the East Coast or from Houston to the Great Lakes. Third, new technology will help FAA and airline experts use air space more efficiently.
[Thomas-samuel:] The plan also calls for the FAA to seek permission to use U.S. military airspace and Canadian airspace when necessary.
[Jane Garvey, Faa Administrator:] The key has been bringing industry together with government to really look at some of these issues.
[Carol Hallett, Air Transport Association:] And if the plan works, and there's no reason why it should not, it will certainly help to eliminate a lot of delays that are related to weather or equipment. It has great potential for making flying a more enjoyable experience.
[Thomas-samuel:] The program takes effect on March 12, just in time for spring and warm-weather storms.
[Chris Mcginnis, Travelskills.com:] If it succeeds in reducing delays that happen during storms, the passengers are going to benefit immediately.
[Thomas-samuel:] But industry officials say the biggest decrease in delays would come from a complete modernization of the air traffic control system, something that won't happen until Congress approves the pending $40 billion FAA budget bill. Kalin Thomas-Samuel, CNN, Atlanta.