The Airline Deregulation Act was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on October 24, 1978. This landmark piece of legislation fundamentally changed the American aviation industry by removing government control over fares, routes, and the entry of new airlines into the market. Before 1978, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) acted as a "parental" figure, deciding exactly where each airline could fly and how much they could charge—effectively treating airlines like a public utility. The move toward deregulation was an initiative that actually began during the Ford administration but was championed and finalized by Carter, with significant support from Senator Edward Kennedy and economist Alfred Kahn. The goal was to increase competition and lower prices for the average consumer. The act was so successful in its intent that it led to the "hub-and-spoke" systems we use today and made air travel a common commodity rather than a luxury for the elite. By 1985, the CAB was completely abolished, leaving the market to be governed by the forces of supply and demand.