Transportation secretary hints at aid for airlines

The airline industry has not been the same since 9/11, and I can see why there is a need to ensure that moving ahead in the future that airlines have better technology and can reduce costs and increase efficiency. Although the cost of oil has declined and airlines have tried to cut costs to make it more appealing to fly, they are still facing significant problems in both the short and long term. I think it is beneficial for the government to aid the process of modernization for airlines with the new GPS guide system because it will make a sound investment down the line. With the FAA already committed to the project, airlines would be forced to take a drastic hit in their ability to make profits if forced to pony up the money themselves and at this point in time that is not something I see them being willing or able to do. In doing so we would have a bargaining chip to force better relations between airlines and their employees and could potentially save some jobs in the process. All in all, I see the transformation of airline technology as something that could make it a lot smoother for travelers and airlines and would potentially serve as an additional means to curbing some of our dependence on foreign oil down the road.