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Feds Close to Action on JFK Mess

December 11, 2007 at 9:30 AM | 0 Comments

The federal government is close to action on the unprecedented congestion at JFK and other New York-area airports, says the New York Times. Department of Transportation secretary Mary Peters will hand President Bush a list of recommendations next week, and the government should take action before the end of the year. Possibilities include an auction for takeoff and landing slots, which is more likely than charging airlines extra for flights at peak times.

Whatever happens, at least one aviation consultant knows it's gonna be bad:

Will people get hurt? Of course they will. The flying public is the one that always gets hurt in these things.

When we spoke with Fred Reid last week, the idea of an auction to reallocate slots didn't come up. But we're guessing he won't be happy if that's the way things go; here's what he told us on December 6:

Historically, when slot allocations have been made, the government has wisely decided to allow for some slots for new entrants--and that is the case we are making here.

JetBlue for instance was given 70 slots at JFK as a new carrier. The DOT has always given consideration to consumer choice and competition in the market. This has long been a fundamental policy consideration.

If it does come down to who has the deepest pockets, things at New York's airports could turn mighty expensive.

Related Stories:
· US to Limit Flights at Kennedy [NYT]
· Jaunted Interview: Chatting With Fred Reid [Jaunted]
· JFK coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of JFK: Carl Puentes Photography]