PUERTO RICO SUBMITS APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF AUTHORITY FOR EXPANDED CARGO AND PASSENGER FLEXIBILITY AT PUERTO RICAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
June 20, 2022
On April 27, 2022, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico applied for renewal of its authority under 49 U.S.C. § 40109(c) that provides foreign air carriers expanded cargo and passenger transfer flexibility at international airports in Puerto Rico, which Puerto Rico argues is a necessary, key component to the island’s economic planning and development. Specifically, in its application Puerto Rico argues that because of Category 5 Hurricane Maria, which caused extensive devastation in Puerto Rico in 2017, Puerto Rico continues to work to try to rebuild its economy and infrastructure, and that air transportation remains a vital part of its economic recovery. Some of the factors that support renewal of the authority include:
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Promoting expanded passenger and cargo air service to and from Puerto Rico by taking advantage of the Island’s geographic location between Europe and Latin America.
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Increasing use of three substantially under-utilized international airports which include the longest runway in the Caribbean and a major maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility.
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Allowing Puerto Rico to promote economic development by highlighting to foreign carriers, industry, and tourism organizations the benefits of Puerto Rico in terms of online and interline connections as well as for origin and destination point traffic.
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Allowing for the expansion of interline opportunities between U.S. carriers and foreign carriers and increasing cargo and passenger service to Puerto Rico.
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Supporting a shift in the growth in passenger and cargo traffic seen now at foreign airports in the region to include the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Panama to U.S. airports in Puerto Rico.
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Advancing expansion of foreign tourist traffic from Europe to Puerto Rico’s 300 beaches and numerous attractions and away from foreign destinations such as Cuba.
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Bolstering U.S. presence and influence in the Caribbean and Latin America to counter the intrusion of nations, such as China, Venezuela, Russia, and Iran with interests adverse to the United States in the region.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com 202-659-6665).
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