The US Department of Transportation (DoT) has moved swiftly to allow start-up and small carriers to take advantage of relaxed slot control laws at four of the USA's most important airports.
Fewer than two weeks after President Bill Clinton's signing on 5 April of an aviation statute that will begin a phase-out of slot restrictions at New York's La Guardia and Kennedy airports and Chicago O'Hare Airport, as well as increase operations at Washington National Airport, the DoT authorised new airlines and those serving small communities to get an immediate head start.
The restrictions have not altered since the mid-1980s. In February 1999, the DoT proposed eliminating most slot restrictions to increase new services and promote competition, and improve services for small- and medium-sized communities.
The new law directs that all slot restrictions be eliminated on 1 July, 2002, at O'Hare, and 1 January, 2007, at the two New York airports.
Source: Airline Business
