Six smaller US airlines have been awarded coveted take-off and landing rights at Chicago O'Hare International and New York's La Guardia, as part of efforts by the Department of Transportation (DoT)to open up slot-controlled airports to new competition.
America West Airlines, Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA), American Eagle's Simmons Airlines and Trans States Airlines were granted exemptions from slot limitations at the busy Chicago airport while American Trans Air and Spirit Airlines won access at La Guardia.
While maintaining a major hub at Washington's Dulles International, ACA, which operates as United Express, plans a major presence at O'Hare where American Eagle will operate 50-seat Embraer RJ-145 regional jets.
The DoT denied exemptions sought at La Guardia by AccessAir, America West and Colgan Air and at New York Kennedy by Pan American World Airways, which now only operates charter flights.
Slot limits have been in place at the Chicago and New York airports since 1968, but a 1994 law allows the DoT to grant certain exemptions. The department now hopes that new flights will lead to a reduction in air fares and improvements in service at the two US airports.
A DoT analysis of air fares has shown that ticket prices are higher on services to small communities or on hub routes where there is no low-fare competition.
Source: Flight International
