Nearly three dozen Delta frontline employees made a trip to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on June 13 to advocate for the modernization of the federal perimeter rule at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) – an outdated rule that is stifling competition for consumers who fly to and from the national capital region.

The perimeter rule, which was established in 1966 limits the number of flights that can take off and land outside a 1,250-mile radius of DCA with few exceptions and is causing customers to spend more time on planes while paying higher ticket prices. Delta people met with nearly 30 Members of Congress to promote passage of the Direct Capital Access (DCA) Act, which would add flights to DCA both within and beyond the perimeter to be divided among airlines.

“Our Fly-In consisted of teams that had representatives from each division of Delta’s operation, Pilots, ACS, RES, IFS, and TOPS,” said Joe Whalen, a Minneapolis-based aircraft maintenance technician. “It was incredibly beneficial, as our perspectives were diverse and united at the same time, which allowed us to effectively communicate with each representative.” 

The perimeter rule is making travel longer, more expensive and more harmful to the environment. Customers are potentially losing hundreds of millions of dollars in value on routings impacted by the rule, and 40% of beyond-perimeter passengers must make at least one connection when flying to or from DCA. More flights at DCA would improve access to Washington, D.C. and make air travel more affordable and more efficient for the millions of residents and visitors that come to our nation's capital every year. 

“Our Fly-In was an impactful experience where I feel we made a difference. The entire time we were on Capitol Hill, people would see us and say, ‘We love Delta!’ So heartwarming & proud!!” said Leslee Leaf, a Los Angeles-based flight attendant.    

“These fly-ins give our Delta people the ability to directly engage with law makers and their staff on issues that affect our quality of life, as well as our company's competitive success. These genuine engagements are priceless, as they offer our people insight into the legislative process and issues that impact our customers, as well as our own families,” said Capt. Nicholas A. Motlagh, a New York - based pilot.

Delta is a member of the Capital Access Alliance, a coalition of more than 60 transportation providers, business groups, companies and organizations advocating to modernize the decades-old perimeter rule at DCA and supports the DCA Act, which has growing bipartisan support in the U.S. House and Senate.