Coalition Includes NY/NJ Port Authority, ATA

A broad coalition of organizations representing airlines, passenger advocates, business and tourism groups Friday joined The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in opposing the Federal Aviation Administration's planned flight caps at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The coalition -- made up of such groups as the Air Transport Association, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and American Express -- asserts the FAA's plan to cut flights would limit travelers’ options, turning away nearly 3.4 million passengers from JFK each year.

On Wednesday, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine sent a joint letter to US Department of Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters opposing the imposition of flight caps at JFK. The governors stated, "We must act now to reduce delays. However, the solution on which the FAA is currently focused -- a cap on the number of flights at JFK -- is, in truth, no solution at all."

As ANN reported, in a two-day meeting this week the FAA and Department of Transportation attempted to convince the airlines to agree to voluntary restrictions on flights at JFK, to curb delays and overscheduling. DOT proposed a cap of 80 flights per hour from 0600 to 2159 -- except for 1500 to 1859, when the target will be 81 flights. To better space flights throughout an entire hour, the Department also set a 30-minute maximum of total flights at 44, and the 15-minute maximum at 24 flights.

The proposal went over like so many overbooked passengers on a cramped 737.

"We have brought together a comprehensive group, representing every facet of air travel, and the consensus is clear; the FAA’s solution would literally turn back the clock at JFK, delivering a crippling blow to passengers, the aviation industry, and the economy," said Port Authority Executive Director Anthony E. Shorris. "The FAA is standing alone in supporting its position."

Earlier this week, the Port Authority released its own recommendations to increase capacity at the metropolitan-area airports, and reduce delays. ATA President and CEO James May applauded that proposal... which calls for immediate implementation of new technologies to ease ATC congestion, adding new taxiways, and adding a new westbound departure route for JFK traffic.

"We are pleased to team up with the Port Authority and other partners to find practical, near-term solutions to reduce flight delays and congestion in the New York area," said May. "New York is the leading international gateway and we cannot allow our government to curtail New York’s economic prosperity by reducing access to JFK, which will raise fares and eliminate customer choice."

FMI: Read The Governors' Letter, www.airlines.org, www.faa.gov, www.dot.gov, www.panynj.com