Aviation Bill's Hardly a Fix

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- More than two years into its latest effort to convince Congress to reform an outdated system for funding the nation's aviation infrastructure, the airline industry has gotten nowhere.

One might think this summer's frequent delays that inconvenienced millions of travelers would have underscored the need for long-term change. After all, Congress has its first chance in 10 years to write a reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration.

The bill approved by the House last week finds new ways to extract money from airline passengers for improvements including airport bicycle racks. But as far as developing a formula to fairly distribute the cost of a much-needed $15 billion to $20 billion modernization of the air traffic control system, you won't find any change. ...