Task Force Against 'Congestion Pricing'

An aviation task force convened by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has suggested express flight paths for congested routes to help ease traffic that is choking up the region's three major airports, according to the Associated Press.

The Port Authority made over 100 suggestions to help ease flight delays at La Guardia, Kennedy and Newark Liberty airports last week.

The group, comprised of state officials, aviation experts and airline executives, has been meeting since spring also suggested special flights direct to Washington D.C., and even new taxiways at their airports. With help from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Port Authority may adopt as many as twenty seven different task force recommendation as soon as the summer of 2008.

Anthony E. Shorris, Port Authority executive director said, "None of the proposals is a blockbuster, but together they could be a big help, even if they allow an airport to squeeze through only six more flights an hour." Peak periods at the airports have as many as 75 and 100 flights per hour being handled.

A report due this week from the U.S. Department of Transportation cast a shadow on the group's work. USDOT has its own group to address the New York-area delays. President Bush even declared that something needed to be done about flight delays in New York, as they were hampering the country's air travel system.

DOT officials said the Port Authority group had highlighted some good ideas for improving operations at the airport, including many the government has begun putting in place or will be done by the end of the fiscal year, according to Department of Transportation spokesman Brian Turmail. But, Turmail added that capacity improvements alone might not be enough to handle airline frequency issues.

Federal officials are looking at imposing a cap on the number of hourly flights at JFK next summer if airlines don't get the message and reduce their flight schedules.

"Market-based solutions" including congestion pricing, where airline landing and departure fees are increased during peak hours may be imposed, according to DOT's Turmail.

The Port Authority and the airlines are directly opposed to caps and congestion pricing--neither was among the recommendations offered at Thursday's meeting.

FMI: www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/