Supports PANYNJ Threat Of Refusal Of Flights

The largest trade association for the nation's 366 commercial airports filed comments Monday opposing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) proposal to auction two slots at Newark Liberty International Airport on September 3.

The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) also filed comments supporting the concerns of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) in their "Proposed Action," a legal notice warning to the FAA that John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia will refuse to accept any flights which result from the federal slot auction.

In its comments, ACI-NA reiterated that FAA should defer to local initiatives to resolve problems of congestion and delay whenever such methods are consistent with the safe and efficient use of the airspace and otherwise comply with applicable law.

"FAA unlawfully seeks to usurp the proprietary right of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to control how its facilities are used," said ACI-NA President Greg Principato. "Instead of pursuing its misconceived ‘slot auction’ proposal, the FAA should work collaboratively with the Port Authority and the air carriers to develop and implement a reasonable and effective program of congestion management."

The slot auction plan is vehemently opposed by major US airlines, as well as the Air Transport Association... which sued the DOT and FAA earlier this month to stop the plan from going forward, as ANN reported.

FMI: www.aci-na.org, www.faa.gov, www.airlines.org