For our look at New Federalism, and deregulation.
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The Airline Deregulation Act is a 1978 United States federal law that deregulated the airline industry in the United States, removing the federal government control over such areas as fares, routes, and market entry of new airlines. It introduced a free market in the commercial airline industry and led to a great increase in the number of flights, a decrease in fares, an increase in the number of passengers and miles flown, and a consolidation of carriers. The Civil Aeronautics Board's powers of regulation were phased out, but the regulatory powers of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were not diminished over all aspects of aviation safety.
Legislative History:
Introduced in the Senate as "Air Transportation Regulatory Reform Act" (S. 2493) by Howard Cannon (D-NV) on February 6, 1978
Committee consideration by Senate Commerce, House Public Works
Passed the Senate on April 19, 1978 (83–9)
Passed the House on September 21, 1978 (363-8 as H.R. 12611)
Reported by the joint conference committee on October 12, 1978; agreed to by the House on October 14, 1978 (356–6) and by the Senate on October 14, 1978 (82–4)
Signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on October 24, 1978
