"Chairwoman Velazquez, Ranking Member Chabot, and other distinguished Members of the Committee: It is a privilege and honor to appear before you today on behalf of the Travel Industry Association (TIA) and our strategic partner the Travel Business Roundtable (TBR) to discuss the impact a troubled air travel system is having on travel and tourism in America and to share with you the results of the air travel survey TIA released last month.

Businesses all across the United States depend on reliable, efficient air travel to conduct business and stay connected to customers and suppliers. Economic studies show that easy access to a major airport is one of the most important factors in creating an environment where innovative small businesses can flourish. Entrepreneurs depend on reliable air service to raise capital, develop supply chains and make sales. It is no accident that a significant technology corridor grew up around Dulles International airport.

Businesses within the travel sector are particularly dependent on reliable and efficient air travel. Over 95 percent of travel and tourism businesses are small businesses: 98 percent have 100 or fewer employees and 99.5 percent have 500 or fewer employees. Anything that affects air travel in the United States hits these small businesses harder.

The problem America faces today is that our air travel system is in steep decline. This is not a problem solely for the aviation community, but for business across America. TIA's members feel the impact directly. TIA represents the breadth of the travel community, including travelers, hotels, restaurants, theme parks, destinations and many others. Less than one percent of our membership is in the aviation community, but all of our members are feeling the pinch of a deteriorating air travel system. That is why TIA recently partnered with two of the nation's premier political polling firms to garner a better understanding of travelers' concerns with the air travel process and what effect, if any, those concerns have on their decision to fly."