U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2008)

The White House

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 18, 2008

President Bush Discusses Aviation Congestion and Transportation Safety

Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C.

9:50 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Please be seated. Madam Secretary, thank you for the kind introduction. Thank you for the reception. I am honored to be with the men and women who work here at the U.S. Department of Transportation. I appreciate you giving me a chance to come by and visit with you today. I want to thank you very much for the great job you are doing to make sure that across America our railways and highways and airways are working to keep our citizens moving. You have done a terrific job, as far as I am concerned. The past eight years I have not seen a traffic jam -- (laughter) -- waited for an airplane -- (laughter) -- or had my bags lost. (Laughter.)

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This administration has signed agreements with the EU and India, Thailand and China, to increase flights between the United States and these countries. Makes it easier for Americans to travel around the globe. We have launched an unprecedented effort to reduce air congestion by boosting flight capacity at some of the busiest airports. The Department of Transportation over the past seven and a little more than three-quarters years, has completed 13 major airport improvement projects, including 11 new runways. This week three more runways will open at Seattle-Tacoma, Washington-Dulles, and Chicago-O'Hare -- bringing the total to 14, which is going to help ease aviation congestion coast to coast.

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END

10:01 A.M. EST