A coalition of aviation groups has asked the US Federal Aviation Administration to suspend indefinitely plans to implement demand management or market-based solutions for severe congestion at New York LaGuardia Airport until there is a better understanding of the long-term ramifications of last month's terrorist attacks.
A slot lottery imposed earlier this year at LaGuardia runs through 26 October 2002 at which time a longer-term administrative or market-based scheme is to be implemented. Options include congestion pricing, slot auctioning or minimum aircraft size.
The airline service cutback was implemented after the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia, set a moratorium on new flights during peak hours, challenging federal legislation that opened access to regional jets and new long-haul airline entrants.
The Air Transport Association, Regional Airline Association, Cargo Airline Association, National Air Carrier Association and American Association of Airport Executives believe "the basis for this administrative proceeding has evaporated" because of the events of 11 September and "the abrupt decline in air travel that followed".
In its filing with the FAA, the group says: "We cannot project demand at LaGuardia or any other airport with any level of certainty. Moreover, the financial crisis in the aviation industry triggered by the terrorist attacks, along with the need to provide enhanced security at all of our airports, may change patterns of air service in ways that are not yet clear."
Source: Flight International
