WASHINGTON — Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) secured five additional round trip flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in the final FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, increasing affordability and accessibility for Americans traveling to Washington, D.C. DCA remains the only airport subject to a 1966 federally-imposed perimeter rule, limiting the number of flights permitted beyond a 1,250-mile perimeter, raising ticket prices and limiting travel options for students, stakeholders, and constituents. 

“More travel options, lower ticket prices, and greater access to our nation’s capital are on the horizon with today’s FAA reauthorization, which includes five additional roundtrip in-and-beyond perimeter flights at DCA,” said Rep. Owens. “Increasing flights to our Nation’s Capital doesn’t benefit one airport, one airline, or any one member of Congress; it creates an open door to Washington, D.C., for every American to see their government at work. After nearly a year of fighting to fly DCA into the 21st century, I’m excited to welcome even more Utahns and Americans to their Nation’s Capital.”

Background: 

• In May 2023, Owens introduced the Direct Capital Access (DCA) Act to create additional within- and beyond-perimeter flights at DCA in the 2023 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill.
• In July 2023, Owens introduced a compromise amendment to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act to create additional within- and beyond-perimeter flights at DCA. 
• Since 1966, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has been governed by the federal perimeter rule, which restricts the number of flights to and from locations beyond 1,250 miles of DCA. DCA is the only airport in the country still subject to a federal perimeter rule limiting the number of flights daily.
• Washington, D.C., is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States; however, affordable access to the nation’s capital is too expensive and inaccessible for millions of Americans, particularly in western states like Utah, due to this federally-imposed rule.

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