The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the government agency in charge of regulating civil aviation in the United States, yesterday launched a new plan to minimise congestion and flight delays in New York and Washington D.C. airports during this year’s summer.
The main goal of the measure is to avoid a repeat of last year’s summer season disruptions caused by a shortage of air traffic controllers and airline staff.
According to the agency, between May and September 2022, there were a total of 41.498 delays of flights from the three commercial airports serving the Big Apple.
The plan to reduce congestion at New York and Washington D.C. airports
The plan will be implemented at John F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty (EWR) airports, which serve the New York metropolitan area, as well as at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), the closest airport to the District of Columbia. It will be in effect between 15 May and 15 September 2023.
The agency said it will grant a limited and conditional waiver of the minimum slot usage requirement for operations. In a document released yesterday, it cited the current controller shortage situation in the area as the main reason.
The Federal Aviation Administration will allow airlines to voluntarily surrender up to 10% of their slots at the four airports. Operators will be able to submit requests to do so until 30 April.
United Airlines has already confirmed that it will apply for a waiver. The company explained that it will schedule aircraft with more seats to compensate for the lower number of flights.
According to agency projections, this year’s summer could see an increase in delays of up to 45% at airports serving New York. The expected 7% increase in operations would add pressure to an already understaffed system.
The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to hold a summit with airlines later this month. They would discuss possible additional alternatives to minimise congestion and disruption in the region.
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