Sky-high pressure

Less than two weeks on the job, James Bennett already is facing political dilemmas as president and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

The authority manages Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International airports.

Legislation proposed in the House last week would add 36 daily flights at Reagan Airport, most of them long-distance routes that use big jets. The Senate version of the bill would add 12 daily flights.

Mr. Bennett and local members of Congress oppose a higher number of flights, saying it would increase noise and congestion and diminish local control over airport decisions. Supporters of the legislation say it would be good for business at the airport.

Regardless of the outcome, the issue demonstrates how politics can be as important for Washington’s airports as moving airplanes in and out of them.

“It’s Congress making the decision here,” Mr. Bennett said.

This week, another issue arose when officials from Lufthansa, the German airline, complained about understaffing of U.S. Customs checkpoints that slowed passengers departing from Dulles flights.

Mr. Bennett, 48, assumed control of the airports May 5during the most turbulent time since the federal government turned them over to private control in 1987. Major airlines are in bankruptcy, terrorism concerns have raised security costs, and commercial aviation struggles to cope with new political and financial realities.

He comes to the job with high expectations and praise from politicians and aviation industry insiders.

“Jim Bennett has my unequivocal support,” said Rep. James P. Moran, a Virginia Democrat whose district includes the airports. “He’s got the most relevant experience, the most extensive experience.”

For the past seven years, Mr. Bennett was the airports authority’s chief operating officer in the shadow of James Wilding, who retired this month as president and chief executive officer.

Mr. Bennett’s entire career has been in commercial aviation. He has worked as assistant aviation director at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix and as director of the Shreveport (La.) Airport Authority. He also was aeronautics director for the city of Flint, Mich.

“I think he’ll do a fine job. He’s very well-qualified to manage those two airports,” said Tom Browne, a managing director for the Air Transport Association, a trade group for major airlines.

David Z. Plavin, president of the Airports Council International-North America, described Mr. Bennett as the kind of leader the airports need “through this challenging time.”

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