DOT Cancels Auction for NYC Airport Slots

[Matt Molnar]

Auctions for slots at NY area airports canceled
Transportation chief says agency serious about tackling congestion problem

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
12:44 PM EDT, May 13, 2009

The Transportation Department said Wednesday it will cancel its proposal for "slot auctions" at New York City airports, following strong backlash from airlines and industry groups.

The auctions were part of a plan to reduce congestion at the New York metro area's three major airports -- Kennedy Airport, LaGuardia and Newark. Airlines were to bid for take off and landing times. But because of lawsuits and a court-ordered stay, the auctions had not started.

"We're still serious about tackling aviation congestion in the New York region," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Wednesday in remarks to the Association for a Better New York. "I'll be talking with airline, airport and consumer stakeholders, as well as elected officials, over the summer about the best ways to move forward." [Full Article]

[bonanzabucks]

No surprise. It would have lost in the courts anyways. Regardless, this is a good move. Slot auctions was the dumbest idea out of all the proposals to fix congestion here. It would have only made flying more expensive. This was the main reason I voted Obama and actually de-registered as a Republican. McCain was going to keep Mary Peters as DOT’s Secretary.