FAA to limit peak-hour flights at New York's JFK airport?

22 September 2007

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken the unusual step of asking major carriers for their JFK scheduling information for next spring and summer. This extremely early request indicates that the government may have taken the first step towards limiting flights, possibly as early as next summer, at New York's John F Kennedy airport, one of the busiest in the world and one of the worst for delays.

A similar request also was sent to airlines at New Jersey's Newark international airport, another location hit hard by delays this year. This suggests more than one airport may be on the government's radar for limiting peak-hour flights. Airlines must respond to requests by 11 October.

The FAA reviews schedule information this far in advance only at a handful of airports nationally, and controls flight operations only at two - New York LaGuardia and Chicago O'Hare. An FAA representative only said the agency wanted to determine if there will be periods where scheduling exceeds capacity.

The FAA said the scheduling request did not mean it has decided to limit flight operations. But the agency's notice to airlines clearly stated: "This could result in operational limits during peak hours."

JetBlue Airways, which is based at JFK, said it supported FAA efforts to reduce congestion. It said the agency should immediately convene a meeting of airlines to discuss scheduling.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents most large international carriers, said the present delays were "not acceptable". It said airlines waste fuel and emissions increase if arrival and departure times are extended. About 100 international airlines operate from JFK.