Airport Issue Brief -- FAA proposing various options to minimize delays at LaGuardia Airport

Airport Issue Brief

FAA proposing various options to minimize delays at LaGuardia Airport

The issue:

LaGuardia International Airport (LGA) in New York currently has the highest number of daily delays of any airline airport in the United States, accounting for 25 percent of all delays in the US. Currently LGA operates under a High Density Rule, implemented by the FAA in 1969 and a year 2000 administrative lottery allocation expiring in September 2001, limiting the number of aircraft operations at the airport. Accordingly, the FAA has published a notice in the Federal Register outlining options for long-term reductions in delays. There are two comment periods. The first, closing July 12, 2001 (Docket FAA-2001-9852) pertains to modification of the existing administrative slot allocation program. The second or Phase Two (Docket FAA-2001-9854), closes August 13, 2001 and pertains to demand management options, including a fee structure, to supplement the current administrative slot allocation program.

The importance to our members:

While most GA pilots don't consider using airports like LGA and while primarily an airline issue applicable to a single airport (LGA), charging fees to limit access to a publicly owned, public use airport is a policy that raises concerns.

Significant provisions:

Phase One:

• Comment period closes July 12, 2001
• Maintains slot lottery allocation that began January 31, 2001
• Conduct new slot lottery of 14 slots
• Limited to new entrant airlines and service to small hub or non-hub airports
• No new entrant may have more than 4 slots
• Total slots/hour may not exceed 75
• Remains in effect through October 26, 2002

Phase Two - Demand management

• Comment period closes August 13, 2001
• Submitted to FAA & DOT by Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
• Would require changes to existing federal laws to implement
• Seeks comments on concepts presented in two categories
• • Market-based - auction slots at "fair market value"
  • Congestion-based landing fees - landing fee + Peak hour fee
• Encourage traffic to utilize other under capacity airports
• Reduce FAA's role in managing LGA capacity
• General Aviation and military have 6 slots/hour
• General Aviation landing fees increase to range of $350-$700
• "Administrative Options" under study by FAA
• • Encourage use of larger Aircraft
  • Pool of slots for small community service
  • Changes to High Density Rule
  • Do not add peak hour pricing

AOPA position:

Although the demand management options ensure general aviation access, an essential concept for AOPA, the cost of accessing LGA will increase under the FAA proposal. AOPA is concerned that the principles could be used at other capacity-restricted airports.

Status: Notice of Alternative Policy Options for Managing Capacity at LaGuardia Airport and Proposed Extension of the Lottery Allocation

Update: On October 12, 2001, the FAA suspended until further notice the closing date for comments on demand management options at LaGuardia. The FAA cited lowered passenger demand and a reduced number of aircraft operations following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. At this time, no further action will be taken on the demand management options outlined in Phase Two of the original proposal. [See also the notice.]