Thu, Oct 30, 2008
Decries Assertion That Competition Warrants Controversial
Plan
The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry
trade association for the leading US airlines, issued the following
statement Wednesday in response to the Department of Transportation (DOT)
claim that auctions will lead to more competition and
lower fares at slot-controlled airports:
"The DOT today attempted yet another
rationale in support of its unwavering desire to force untested,
highly controversial slot auctions at New York-area airports. It's
never-ending but imaginative claims are beginning to seem like
throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks.
"It seems as if DOT has reversed
course from its earlier astonishing claims that slot auctions will
reduce congestion. DOT now claims that since New York is not a
competitive market, auctions are necessary to increase competition
and lower fares. Let's set the record straight: New York is the
most competitive market in the United States, with nearly 80
airlines serving JFK, La Guardia and Newark airports. So it is hard
to imagine why New York would somehow benefit from even more
competition - even assuming that auctions would attract carriers
not now serving New York airports.
"DOT compares fares in second quarter
2007 to fares in second quarter 2008 to demonstrate that average
fares increased 8 percent. Given that the price of a barrel of oil
during this same period increased nearly 100 percent - from around
$65 a barrel to $124 a barrel - the more appropriate question might
be why airfares increased so little. The Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey, who vehemently opposes auctions, estimates that
fares could increase by as much as 12 percent and that as many as
30 small- and medium-sized markets could lose service to New York
under the illegal DOT auction scheme.
"This latest argument sadly confirms
the Department's willingness to spin its wheels to mask its failure
to implement proven operational and airspace redesign measures that
will enhance capacity and reduce flight delays in the New York
area. Auctions do not enhance capacity or give passengers more
options and they do not result in lower fares.
ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90
percent of all US airline passenger and cargo traffic.
More News
States That Current Process is Damaging National Aerospace Development US Senator Jerry Morgan is pushing the FAA to speed up the process for rocket launch licensing. He argues tha>[...]
From 2015 (YouTube Edition): Model Aviator Aims For Full-Scale Career While at the 2015 Indoor Electric RC Festival, referred to as eFest, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell>[...]
Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]
Aero Linx: Cardinal Flyers Online The Cardinal Flyers Online Web site was created and is maintained by me, Keith Peterson. My wife Debbie and I have owned a 1976 RG since 1985. Wit>[...]
Clearance Void If Not Off By (Time) Used by ATC to advise an aircraft that the departure release is automatically canceled if takeoff is not made prior to a specified time. The exp>[...]