FAA opens more airspace for holiday travel

President George W. Bush announced Tuesday that the government is taking steps to try to make sure holiday air travel goes smoothly this year.

Bush began his news conference at the Department of Transportation by saying he wants traveling home to be as comfortable an experience as possible.

Joking he said, “Will traveling home for the holidays be ‘It’s A Wonderful Life,‘ or will it be ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas?‘

The president said last winter that the FAA temporarily opened up some military airspace along the East Coast during the busiest travel days. He said even more space will be opened up this year.

“This year, we’re going to expand what we call the ‘Thanksgiving Express Lanes’ to areas of the Midwest, the Southwest, and the West Coast, including the skies over Phoenix and Los Angeles.“

One air traffic controllers’ union said they don’t expect the government’s decision to open up airspace will make much difference. Bush also discussed other new efforts, intended to prevent other hassles for travelers.

“We’re also working with the FAA, the TSA, and the airlines to make more staff available to speed check-in and boarding, and to help passengers affected by cancellations and delays.“

According to a spokesperson from an airline trade group, approximately 24 million passengers are expected to fly over the 12 days considered to cover the Thanksgiving holiday this year, Castelveter said. And planes will be crowded or full on those days.