Sky-high pressure

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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.