Legislation Would Eliminate LGA Perimeter Rule

[Matt Molnar]

US Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.) this week introduced legislation to abolish the "perimeter rules" that restrict flights to/from Washington National and New York LaGuardia. Federal statute prohibits flights between DCA and airports beyond 1,250 mi., though several notable exceptions have been made. A similar 1,500 mi. restriction is imposed on LGA with an exception made for service to Denver. McCain, who returned to the Senate this week following his failed presidential campaign, long has been a proponent of eliminating the perimeters and was involved actively in the passage of an exception to allow flights between DCA and Phoenix, his home city. Exceptions also have been granted for limited flights between DCA and DEN, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Seattle.

http://www.atwonline.com/news/other.htm ... 2F9%2F2009

[bonanzabucks]

He's been introducing the same thing year after year. It never passes. Not that it's rejected, but Congress more or less ignores it. If this was a priority for the airlines, they'd lobby for it too, but they never do.

[PhilDernerJr]

Yeah, I don't think anyone really cares. It spreads business around at airports/cities that need it. Besides, LGA can't handle any more than it already has anyway.

[Matt Molnar]

When McCain and Ensign proposed similar legislation last year, US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker called the DCA perimeter rule "one of the last remaining barriers to an open and free market in the domestic airline industry" and likened it to the Wright Amendment, which imposes restrictions on flights to/from Dallas Love Field but is being phased out.

Makes sense now...US is based in Arizona, and Parker is a huge McCain/GOP contributor.

[PhilDernerJr]

The Wright Amendment is totally different, and was built with stupidity. It limited WN because it became hub vs. hub, not airport vs. airport. The perimeter rule, on the other hand, doesn't really limit any particular airline, because anyone can pretty much operate out of LGA or JFK with ease if they wanted.

[moose135]

Yeah, I don't think anyone really cares. It spreads business around at airports/cities that need it. Besides, LGA can't handle any more than it already has anyway.

This has gotten a lot of play on that big, blue aviation site. The prevailing sentiment is that the vast majority of the 4,812 RJ flights into LGA every day are simply slot-holders for the majors, and they would replace them with 757 and 767 transcons once given the opportunity, shifting service from JFK, since LGA is "much more convenient" to travel to as compared to JFK.

[Matt Molnar]

...since LGA is "much more convenient" to travel to as compared to JFK.

Eh, only if you're taking a cab.

[bonanzabucks]

This has gotten a lot of play on that big, blue aviation site. The prevailing sentiment is that the vast majority of the 4,812 RJ flights into LGA every day are simply slot-holders for the majors, and they would replace them with 757 and 767 transcons once given the opportunity, shifting service from JFK, since LGA is "much more convenient" to travel to as compared to JFK.

This one dude on A.net from NJ seems to swear by this. He is convinced that LGA will take the lionshare of flights out of JFK if this rule were to be lifted and that JFK will become a hinterland because it's "less convenient" and because it's JFK.

Of course, EWR will just thrive and grow and won't be affected because it's EWR. lol

[PhilDernerJr]

If the rule is lifted and the majors try to convert the usage of LGA from a regional to a transcon airport, then you'll immediately see Schumer lose him mind...as he was always a huge supporter of the regional representation that was seen at LGA. I don't think he would let that happen.

Also, to think that major airlines would eliminate transcons out of JFK is a serious stretch....too many connecting international passengers.

However, a long-distance Airtrain connecting the two airport would create quite a megaport. ;)