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The Federal Aviation Administration has estimated that $6 billion will be needed for airport development by 1975, and $2-1/2 to $3 billion of this will be required by 1970. Since the current total investment in airline airports and related improvements is valued at approximately $6 billion, the figures quoted will require a doubling of that investment in the next eight or nine year period. While the greater share of new funds for airport improvements will be met through local level financing, backed by aviation revenue sources, maximum participation from Federal Airport Funds will be required. In addition to the investment required for airport facilities during the period 1966-1975, the scheduled airlines will invest at least $18 billion in ground and flight equipment in order to serve the rapidly growing needs of the traveling and shipping public.

These are just some of the dimensions of the problem. Certainly other solutions will be needed. The important thing at this point is to establish a working relationship between the airports, the users and the government.

In the Department of Transportation, the traveling public and transportation have an articulate champion. Airports will receive a high priority from the new department. The Task Force Report which will be released in the near future, I am sure, will indicate this high priority. But the government can't do it all. We have got to begin now to extend the airport frontier. We are experts. It is to us that city planners, local officials and government organizations will be looking for answers. We must supply them and supply them soon.