Port Authority to fight New York-area slot auctions

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates New York JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports, has taken up the cause against slot auctions and yesterday announced its intention to "disallow flight departure or arrival slots that are issued by auction or similar process."

In May, the US Dept. of Transportation unveiled its plan to give all airlines operating at JFK and EWR up to 20 slots per day for the 10-year life of the plan, with 10%-20% of slots above the baseline level auctioned off (ATWOnline, June 19). Port Authority Aviation Director William DeCota called the proposal "disastrous" and yesterday the body claimed the auctions would result in an estimated 12% rise in airfares, "would have a severe negative impact on air travel. . .and would be illegal without Congressional authorization." It also said 25 small and medium-sized markets would lose service to and from New York.

In addition to barring the flights, the Port Authority said it would prohibit "any other use of the airports," such as the lease of terminal space or parking positions, by aircraft that acquired their slots through an auction. It said it will take public comment through Aug. 18.

The Air Transport Assn. said it "agrees with the Port Authority's assessment" and is "carefully reviewing the. . .proposed notice." President and CEO James May called the DOT plan an "illegal scheme."

Continental Airlines, which runs a hub at EWR, said the auctions "would add even more flights to airports and airspace which are already experiencing significant delays" and claimed that even though it gave up flights at peak hours earlier this year to assist FAA in imposing caps at EWR, delays "have actually increased."