Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 2, 1993                   TAG: 9305020062
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

BALILES SAID TO BE IDEAL FOR AIR PANEL

President Clinton last week appointed Baliles to head the 15-member National Commission to Ensure a Strong and Competitive Airline Industry, saying the former governor is an ideal choice to lead that effort.

"Perhaps no other governor in the past decade devoted more thought and attention to the global nature of the challenges facing his state," Clinton said.

"He recognized that aviation is the lifeblood of commerce in a global economy and made it an important part of his state's competitiveness strategy," the president said.

The members, announced Thursday by the White House, were appointed by Clinton and Senate and House leaders. The bipartisan panel has a 90-day deadline to complete its report.

The airline industry lost about $10 billion in the last three years. Since 1989, three major airlines have filed for bankruptcy protection, and two others have gone out of business.

Airline executives have blamed federal regulations for many of their troubles. They regard the commission as a step toward making the industry profitable.

"It will be a challenging 90 days, and I look forward to getting under way," Baliles said in a statement.

Aviation officials and industry representatives say Baliles is a good choice to head the commission.

"He's got the ability and knowledge to set the agenda and shepherd the process," said Christopher L. Chiames, a spokesman for the Air Transport Association, a trade group that represents the nation's largest airlines. He said he expects Baliles will be able "to sell the recommendations to Congress."