Says It Will Refuse Flights Resulting From Experiment

The airlines aren't the only ones upset about the debut of slot auctions. The Associated Press reports the managers of New York City's big-three airports say they'll fight the experiment.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has issued a legal notice warning that John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia will refuse to accept any flights which result from the federal slot auction. The DOT is already warning that the standoff could cost the airports their federal funding.

The Port Authority claims that an airport manager has the right to disallow departures or arrivals issued by auction. DOT attorney DJ Gribbin says the statement "boldly violates" the Port Authority's funding agreements with the FAA.
 
Port Authority aviation director Bill DeCota says not only will the port bring legal action against the FAA, but if an airline flight lands at one of the airports claiming access due to a slot auction, "We're not going to allow it to come to a terminal."
 
Democrat Senator Charles Schumer, expressed his support for the port's position. "We are going to fight this every step of the way," the bombastic Senator said.

The DOT's position is that slot auctions will allow market forces to reduce congestion and delays. Airports and airlines say using slots to thin the pack will result in increased costs and the loss of service to small communities.

FMI: www.dot.gov, www.panynj.gov