Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican Leader John L. Mica (R-FL) and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Petri (R-WI) today sent this letter to Committee Chairman Oberstar and Subcommittee Chairman Costello requesting a hearing on the state of the aviation industry. The letter notes that 28.2 million fewer passengers flew in 2008 than in 2007, and airlines have lost approximately $14.5 billion in the past year.