NY Airspace Czar, Caps Proposed

The long-anticipated Department of Transportation proposal to stem delays at New York area airports, announced yesterday, includes the appointment of an airspace Czar as well as the imposition of hourly caps at not only JFK but Newark as well while the FAA works on capacity improvements that could come as early as this spring. La Guardia already has caps. However, it remains to be seen what, exactly, the impact will be on the use of regional jets in the market as airlines tweak their Kennedy schedules to accommodate the DOT initiatives which allow for an additional 50 flight daily next summer.
The industry dodged the auction for the moment but one of DOT’s more contentious proposals calls for the auctioning of any new capacity to the highest bidder. The caps – 82-83 an hour, plus four for non-scheduled flights – take away slots from carriers during peak hours and any auctioning of new capacity would not restore them but go to the highest bidder – the current operator or another airline. DOT’s proposal also called for the leasing of slots afforded by any capacity improvements, which, said Continental, could “provide the Port Authority and the U.S. Government with a means by which, to incentivize the DOT/FAA to create new capacity through the application of improved air traffic control technology and improved airspace utilization.”
The Air Transportation Association, and operators, objected to the auction plan saying it unfairly penalizes carriers that have invested millions in airport assets based on their slots. In addition, it also penalizes carriers, such as Delta, that have already imposed their own cutbacks during peak periods. Delta CEO Richard Anderson reminded DOT that auctions are not only illegal but do nothing to reduce congestion.
The secretary also authorized the appointment of an aviation “czar” to serve as director of the newly-created New York Integration Office. The czar will coordinate regional airspace issues and all projects and initiatives addressing problems of congestion and delays in New York.
A New York airspace czar was one of dozens of recommendations from the Aviation Rulemaking Committee tasked to resolve congestion issues. ARC was especially concerned the individual should receive the full backing and support from each ATO vice president as well as their entire directorate level to ensure positive results in a much more expeditious manner. “It is imperative that this position be given the necessary authority to cross all the lines of business to manage these critical processes and to expedite their implementation,” said the report, adding the person should report directly to ATO’s Chief Operating Officer and be readily accountable to the ATO’s Executive Council (EC) on all matters that deal with these strategic initiatives from inception through implementation and follow up. Related Story www.aviationtoday.com/ran/categories/commercial/17865.html
Industry applauded the efforts, which include redesigning the Newark and Philadelphia airspace as well, with the Air Transport Association, US Airways, Continental and United releasing individual statements commending DOT Secretary Mary Peters, who made the announcement. All, however, echoed Peters in urging Congress to pass an FAA Reauthorization bill which would pave the way for continued airspace modernization.
US Airways, the largest operator at both LaGuardia and Philadelphia as well as one of the largest in the Northeast, indicated it is particularly pleased with new takeoff patterns effective immediately at the airline's Philadelphia hub. It also wants changes to the LaGuardia Perimeter Rule. The new take-off patterns at Newark and Philadelphia International Airport allow aircraft to fan out after take off and provide more options for aircraft waiting to depart. Even so, that is likely to face the same kind of court action brought against similar changes made in New York earlier this year.
The agreement among the major airlines serving JFK caps the number of flights at either 82 or 83 per hour, down from the 100+ normally scheduled during peak hours, depending on the time of day, Secretary Peters said. The hourly caps will take effect March 15, 2008 and will be in place for 2008 and 2009. Airlines will be able to shift their flights to times of the day when the airport has unused capacity, allowing 50 more flights per day than were offered last summer - just more reasonably spaced, she said.
The Secretary also directed the FAA to negotiate hourly caps at Newark International Airport, so that flights aren’t simply shifted there. That would seemingly forestall legislation introduced this week by New Jersey senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, barring FAA from imposing rules to limit flights at Kennedy unless it also limited Newark flights.
United called for the consistent application of the worldwide scheduling guidelines to accommodate current and future demands, which was echoed by the Air Transport Association, which said they must play a role “as part of enhanced management of a difficult set of issues.” The WSG is an internationally recognized process with a proven track record of success, currently in place at 140 high-traffic airports worldwide, said ATA, adding it is specifically designed to facilitate the efficient allocation and exchange of slots at heavily congested airports.
ATA also called for the 77 airspace improvement recommendations from ARC to be implemented to not only restore capacity above the newly imposed caps but add new capacity. “Implementation of several of these recommendations announced by the FAA are good early steps to address summer 2008 concerns, but work on all of the measures must be undertaken as soon as possible.”
Peters said the FAA is working closely with airports and airlines to make similar operational improvements next year, including new satellite-based navigation procedures for the New York and Philadelphia airports that will allow improved bad weather routing, and shorter flights to operate at lower altitudes to open more room for long-haul flights at higher altitudes. The Secretary formed a new federal weather advisory task force to coordinate operations when unexpected weather strands passengers on tarmacs and in airports.
She also re-opened the Holiday Express lanes using military airspace which proved so successful during Thanksgiving between December 21 and December 26 and between December 28 and January 2. Industry wants them opened permanently but military needs them for offshore testing. In addition, western military airspace will be opened from Dec. 21 to the morning of Jan. 2 to help accommodate flights in and out of southern California, she said.
She authorized the FAA to exercise liberal use of overtime to make sure facilities are staffed to handle the surge in traffic, and placed a moratorium on non-essential maintenance through the holidays so controllers can focus on traffic.
Secretary Peters said she will continue talks with airlines and airports to look at ways to utilize broader market-based mechanisms to combat delays not only in the New York region, but in clogged aviation centers elsewhere around the country.