Infrastructure Spending Long Overdue, DeFazio Says

U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, visited Pittsburgh last week. After a tour of Pittsburgh International Airport. DeFazio sat down with Blue Sky to talk about a potential national infrastructure rebuilding plan, an increase in the national Passenger Facility Charge for airports (capped at $4.50 per ticket since 2000), his impression of Pittsburgh’s airport, and his latest meeting with President Donald Trump.

Q: How do you see airports fitting into infrastructure spending in the country?

A: More than 10 percent of the U.S. economy is dependent upon the busiest, most efficient air system in the world. Obviously the airports are key both for passenger travel and for movement of high-value cargo so airports are, I think, a key part of our 21^st Century Infrastructure investment.

Q: How do you view the state of the nation’s airports?

A: It’s variable. There’s some places where the airlines are willing to put in a lot of money – LA o