New York Tries to Stop Airport landing Spot Auction
Published August 5th, 2008
The New York Port Authority, which manages John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia airports is threatening to block a Bush administration plan to auction slots at New York’s three major airports, claiming the process will not reduce delays and only increase ticket prices.
The Port Authority, said the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration plan would increase ticket prices while doing nothing to mitigate the delays and congestion it claims the auction will rollback.
“The FAA lacks the legal authority to conduct the proposed slot auctions,” Port Authority said in statement. “Additionally, auctions, as an economic drain on air carriers and air travelers, will operate as a disincentive to airline investment in airports and would result in an increase in ticket prices that will adversely impact consumer choice.”
Under the plan, the government will require carriers at the three airports to auction off 10 to 20 percent of their existing slots over the next five years and possibly retire others, in combination with limits on the number of flights at peak hours.
Landing slots grant the owner specific times for landing and taking off from an airport.
