New correspondence between an unconventional group of allies is shedding light on the high-stakes fight to prevent more flights at lawmakers’ favorite airport.
Over the course of the last year, United Airlines lobbyists worked with Washington, D.C.’s local airport authority as well as staff to Virginia lawmakers to coordinate strategy and messaging in a bid to keep Congress from approving additional flights at Reagan National Airport, one of the busiest travel hubs in the country.
Emails obtained via public records request from a rival group looking to expand the number of slots at the airport, known as DCA, give a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the lobbying effort as lawmakers consider a major aviation bill this week. The legislation includes a provision that allows DCA to have five more round-trip flights beyond the airport’s perimeter
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